keith

Talents are in the eye of the beholder.  So is beauty.  Whether the canvas is an art board or a human being, I love rendering personal beauty and image. 

http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=430345

www.ariesartist.com

I’ve been told my portraits capture essence, and that I don’t apply makeup I render a face.  I strive to capture that as well as the hidden biographical nuances by looking intuitively.  Working to produce a lasting personal revelation yet still keeping the photo realistic quality in the image.  Sometimes it’s like opening Pandora’s box.

I choose my image then start the development of the character inside the photo.  Whether taken yesterday or centuries ago, the photo becomes the opening for the presence that eventually surfaces.  I love subtle inflexions of tone and texture.  I work in oil, watercolor, and other media, but colored pencils are my passion.   “Why?” you may be asking yourself.  While I experimented and played around and developed a technique that made eyes, skin, hair, and fabrics full of color and life-like, as I wanted them to be.

The playground that is one of my favorite places to create in is the historical pieces I do, such as, the one I did of actress Anne Baxter with her famed architect grandfather Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright, . Another one that was a journey for me was the portrait of Mr. Wright and Oglivanna Lloyd Wright, . Yet the classic cinema imagery is a fun arena to explore as well.

One of the pieces I rendered of Anne Baxter,  is in the collection of Anne’s daughter the very gifted lifestyle interior designer Melissa Galt whose godmother is one of my favorite talents Hollywood’s costume guru Edith Head.

Taliesin West  was one of my favorite places to draw sitting on the guest deck looking over the beauty while playing with a new subject.  The portrait of Anne and Mr. Wright was done on that deck.  I learned so much as an artist there while teaching rendering to the apprentices yet as always I was the pupil.  Some of the most incredible artist’s are among the fellowship like the talent of  Effi Casey, whose paintings I so enjoyed, and the breathtaking sculpture garden brought to life with Heloise Crista’s sculpture work.  Susan Jacobs Lockhart’s visions speak for themselves.   Her work taught me as much as her friendship still does.  I did several other pieces at Taliesin, one of  Heloise Crista  and of Cornelia Brierly, whose book Tales of Taliesin was why I wanted to draw her.  What a great lady!  Her art is on the cover of  her book.

One of my works that was incredible fun for me to do was Tiny Dancer .  I called Maxine Taupin,  and asked her if she would let me draw her, without hesitation she said "yes". On that piece I took the photographs I drew from I wanted to create the feeling of the lyrics in the Elton John song written by Bernie Taupin, Tiny dancer in my hand and it was incredible to render a subject that so fascinates me.  The song has always been one of my favorite songs.  But to get to bring it to reality for me was a time period I won’t forget.  Maxine has great skin, which was a treat to draw and as the lyrics go pretty eyed...  Maxine is one of the most beautiful people I know.  Thanks for the inspiration Elton, Bernie and Maxine!

Another piece was also patterned from a song.  I did the piece inspired by the remake of the song of  For What it’s Worth by Terri Nunn. Terri has that piece in her collection. Terri was an amazing subject both as a drawing  as was applying her makeup . Terri has numerous talents from just amazing lady to flawless beauty.  Her voice is one the most unique instruments I have ever herd. Her Top Gun hit Take my Breath Away is amazing but in her new release the lead singer of Berlin rocks, like Terri does.  I did a portrait of Terri and her mom Joy Mitchell,  another phenomenal lady who is also in Celebrity Art.

Another person who has influenced my work is that of colored pencil artist Ann Kullberg.  Her work is brilliant check it out for yourself.  www.annkullberg.com

As a graphics designer, I worked in development of complete marketing packages, from logos to catalog, for print or electronic media for companies ranging from universities to Jostens’s, FINGERHUT, American General Finance, Boeing and NordicTrack.  As a makeup artist, I use the same skills to emphasize the most effective response to character and personality for theatrical productions, photo shoots, video, and film.

What do people say about my work?

"OMG!  That new piece is so so so so so so so so so amazing.  I adore it.  Love it to death.  Fabulous.  Envious as hell at your idea. Wow." – Artist Ann Kullberg (www.annkullberg.com)  

"I am absolutely loving your new direction in your artwork! The Egyptian piece and now this one! Faeries! Your creativity is at an all time high!"  - Stephanie Fuelling

“You are a very talented artist, 2 COOL” - Christopher Saint, Twintalk Entertainment

“I thought the makeup and hair were great! (Of course I was looking for that, to see your artistry!).”  - Berlin’s Terri Nunn

“Jar's is my FAVORITE!!!  If he ever does prints of that and he doesn't charge a fortune, I WANT ONE!!!”  - Rina in AZ

“Jarringly good.” - Director Bobby Logan 

“Unreal, or too real - you know what I mean.” - Martha Jones

 “I just love his jars... it really looks like a photograph, not a painting. Is he doing a show anywhere?” - Kitty

“Man you are just ridiculous!  Your drawing is simply amazing.” – Bass Player, Mark Meadows

“Damn Keith ... your work takes everyone's breath away.” – Rexanne Mancini (www.Rexanne.com)

“I want to see anything you produce!” – Artist Ann Kullberg (www.annkullberg.com)

"Sometimes people catch me talking to Judy Garland, Edith Head or Terri Nunn...what's amazing is you found a way to make them talk back" M.Hunter, Writer/Model/Actress