John Reilly was born in 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, and received his art training at the School of Art & Design and Pratt Institute.  Reilly has been a Creative Director in the advertising field for over two decades. During this time, he formed and headed his own advertising agency. After selling the agency in 1987, Reilly began painting. He continued his painting studies at the Newark School of Fine Art and The National Academy School of Fine Arts. His most prestigious awards for fine art include recognition from the Salmagundi Club and the National Academy School of Design.