Justin Hess (b.1981) is a professional painter trained in the Classical Realist Tradition. His education has taken him from his hometown of Ventura, California to the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. After an intensive 6 years of study and work in Florence Italy, Justin returned to San Francisco where he currently offers classes out of his Atelier "JHess Studios" and workshops around the country. He has taught and lectured on painting, as well as the preparation of paints and canvasses using traditional materials and techniques. Justin is the author of “Controlling the Creative Process, A Painter’s Guide to Methods and Materials”.

His work has been published in Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, International Artist Magazine, The Artists’ Magazine, and Southwest Artist Magazine, where he was named one of "21 Under 31", their annual spotlight on young and emerging artists.  Justin was awarded the American Art Collector’s “Best of Show” at Greenhouse Galleries’ Salon International 2012 by the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. 

Justin has exhibited in Italy, London, Monaco, Norway and the United States. His work is represented by John Pence Gallery and may be found in private collections in Australia, Europe, Scandinavia, and the United States.