BIOGRAPHY:
Keith Grace has exhibited in galleries, museums and universities in one-man and group shows including:
• VIDA Museum, Borgholm, Sweden
• Rockford Art Museum
• Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
• Amdur Gallery, Glenview, IL
• Perlow-Stevens Gallery, Columbia, MO
• Maple Avenue Gallery, Evanston, IL
• Millea Gallery, St. Louis, MO
• Clair E. Smith Gallery, Barrington, IL
• Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT
• Aurora University
• Rock Valley College
• Thompson Illinois Center in Chicago
• Greater Reston Art Center, Reston, VA
• Bulthaup Gallery, Chicago
• J.R. Kortman Center for Design
His work is featured in 4 books – America Collects, Studio Visit, Best of Oil Painting and Portrait Inspirations.
Has been in over 100 art festivals across the country.
His paintings have appeared in magazines including Psychology Today, Advertising Age International, SPY and Health Leader - as well as newspapers, books, posters, annual reports, brochures, websites, restaurants, and stage sets.
He has won numerous awards and his paintings are included in many corporate and private collections nationwide.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
The goal for each finished piece is the successful interplay of words and images. I create duplicity in my work with strong, graphic imagery and detailed collage work. The closer you get to my work the more you see - reinforcing the idea that things are not always what they seem to be. I strive to create a story for the viewer, blending strong visuals with the beauty and power of typography. The words in the painting may appear to help tell the story, but the fragmented pieces are there only to add depth, texture and balance — leaving the viewer to their own, personal interpretation.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Each painting begins with sketches, often inspired by photographs that Keith Grace takes of friends and objects. These sketches evolve into the final composition, which is enlarged and drawn onto canvas.
Grace then collages individual pieces of typography and other visual elements — such as maps and elements of pop culture — securely onto the surface with many layers of an adhesive, transparent medium to ensure a flat, seamless application. The typographic images are chosen randomly by type font, size, boldness and color.
Next, the artist blocks in color with layers of acrylics. Detail painting is then applied with oil colors, using a drybrush technique. This process is performed by using unmixed paint directly from the tube and rubbing it into the surface with a flat, hard brush.