Keith Grace

Each painting begins with drawings which evolve into the final composition. The image is enlarged and hand-transferred onto canvas. I then collage hundreds of individual, hand-torn magazine pieces along with custom created typography and maps, securely onto the surface with many layers of an adhesive, transparent medium. This ensures a flat, seamless application. Next, I block in the subjects with layers of acrylics. Detail painting is applied with oil colors, using a dry brush technique. This artistic style reflects the work I did as a newspaper and book designer/illustrator. I’ve maintained the graphic quality of my earlier paintings but added the detailed collage work that is only seen and appreciated up close. This reinforces the reality that things are more interesting and complicated than they first appear. My current work explores finding truth and clarity among the constant, chaotic messaging we receive from both traditional and social medias.