Meet the Southern Indiana Artist: Henryville Artist Creates SoIN Tourism's New Poster Collection

Southern Indiana-based artist Adam Kleinert credits his interest in art at a young age to his parents. Well, at least in part.

Kleinert, who lives in Henryville, developed his love for art – and making it – thanks to support. Today, he is an artist who focuses primarily on pop culture works, although he also does commercial work and takes commissions.

He is a long-time collaborator of SoIN Tourism, designing their annual visitor guide, a Billie the Bison character (GoSoIN followers have probably seen), and most recently, creating posters for SoIN Tourism’s year-round passports, which will be revealed during the SoIN Summer Passport Party on July 8, 2026.

In short, he was an artist pretty much from the word, “go,” and still is, whether he is working in watercolors or designing a project for a client.

“My favorite part about graphic design has always been the variety,” Kleinert said. “Working on a salon or bank one day and in the whiskey industry or healthcare the next.”

How it Started – With a Short Break

As noted, Kleinert’s interest in art began with encouragement. Asked if he remembers when his interest in art “awoke,” he responded: “As far as I can remember, honestly. I don’t know if it was one of those typical parent things, or if I actually had talent, but they made me feel like I had talent. It’s just something I’ve always done.”

However, there was a break in his artist career – he took time off to do things like get married and raise a family. He continued his graphic design, but becoming a dad squeezed his time a bit. Nevertheless, his love of making art didn’t waver. Sometimes you just need a time-out.

“While raising our children, much of my time was spent coaching or attending their events,” he said. “Any creative juices I had were saved for my day job. Now that my kids are grown and starting to venture out on their own, it seems like creativity and inspiration is starting to come in abundance.”

Kleinert said he was led back in the direction of creative art, so to speak, by a story he wanted to weave into a graphic novel. That was roughly three years ago, and he hasn’t looked back since, selling his wares at science fiction/horror/comic book fan conventions all around the Midwest and the South.

He also does commissioned work for businesses and individuals. He still works as a freelance graphic designer – he always has – although these days he works extensively with Extol Magazine, in addition to having a number of other clients. Kleinert said his office is split between his “day” job and his purely artistic work.

“It makes it convenient, because I can work on my day job and go back and forth,” Kleinert said.

Kleinert’s Creations

One has only to look at his website to see Kleinert’s inspirations: Star Wars, superheroes, films – he creates spins on favorite characters, from Darth Vader to Batman. This, of course, is why he does so well at fan cons – giving the people what they want.

While more complex works get created at home, he even creates work in his booth at the cons, which helps attract potential fans and customers.

“People come up and talk to you and kind of watch,” he said. “I enjoy that part.”

Another “inspiration,” for lack of a better term, is … dice rolling.

“I roll Dungeons & Dragons dice” to decide what media, what to draw, etc.,” Kleinert said. “Just kind of experimenting and playing around with different mediums and thought processes. Always something to try to push myself a little farther.”

His Roll for Drawing series captures pop culture characters in etchings, watercolor paintings, even in pancakes! Follow Kleinert’s Facebook page to see what he rolls next, plus past creations.

From Charlestown to Henryville

Kleinert is a Clark County guy almost from the get-go. His family moved from Louisville to Charlestown when he was very young, and he now lives on a small family farm in Henryville. It’s almost like a family compound to hear him describe it, with various homes on one big family property.

His first grandchild is due in August, for example, and they will be living just across a small road on the property: “It’s pretty exciting,” he said.

He notes that he and his wife did leave the area to go to college at Ball State University, “but the plan was always to move back.”

His favorite things to do in Southern Indiana when he isn’t making art? Playing disc golf at Lapping Park in Clarksville is on the list, as is visiting Huber’s during the autumn and taking in the Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center. He also has a soft spot for dining at Tequila and Mezcal in Henryville, 1894 Lodge in New Washington and Union Pub & Social in Jeffersonville.

Latest Projects

Kleinert brought up two distinctive projects when we spoke with him. One is a cover he designed for a graphic novel titled “Night Skull,” created by Nathan Soliday for Sellersburg-based Madd Comics. Kleinert became acquainted with Soliday when Soliday opened his comic book store.

“I met Nathan … when he had me come to the Madd Comics Grand Opening,” Kleinert said. “I was working on a few other graphic novels for others at the time and he had an idea for what is now “Night Skull,” and we decided to team up.”

Another is a new series Kleinert is creating with Southern Indiana’s Extol Media, which is owned by well-known area media personality Angie Fenton. His segment in the “This is Southern Indiana” series, airing Sunday nights on WLKY, follows him around to different locations in the area. He draws and paints whatever landmark he is visiting while sharing a little bit about the site. The first one was based around Rosie the Riveter on the Clarksville riverfront.

Meet the Artist

View some of Kleinert’s latest work and get a chance to meet and chat with him at the SoIN Summer Passport Party from 3 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. He’ll reveal his poster series for the project and stick around to sign posters for folks who check-in and earn the prizes.

And if you’re looking to catch Kleinert at a fan con this month, you can say hello at Fanboy Expo in Knoxville, July 10-12, 2026. Keep an eye on his website for more upcoming events.