About Keith McDowell the Artist

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. 

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 who was 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.  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!

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 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.

I donated a piece to the Wish Upon a Star Foundation and it was auctioned at $4,600 higher than everything including Bette Midler’s gown but lost to Peter Frampton’s guitar.  A foundation that does so much for many!

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

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?

"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)

Credits:

Yard Sale, Key Makeup for Cannes Artists Productions, Director Bobby Logan Addict, Director Chrystal Martin
Death Tunnel, Philip Adrian Booth
Muses, Director Scott Russell
The Date, Director James Burk
Fashion Shoots
Theatre Production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Theatre Production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible

My artwork was featured on ShowTime and the film Yard Sale, Cannes Artists Productions, Director Bobby Logan  

“Just a note to say it was a honor and a pleasure to work with you on DEATH TUNNEL. Your hard work, dedication and commitment to the project was

invaluable !!!!!  We had a blast and I will remember it as an adventure of a cinematic life-time.” -Philip Adrian Booth, Director, DEATH TUNNEL

 “Together we have crafted a masterpiece of horror.” - Christopher Saint, Producer, DEATH TUNNEL

 Reference notes:

Designer, illustrator, and lead makeup artist for corporate image strategies, including OurWorld-TV.com, SuzannesBest.com and other media related companies. Guest talent appearances on ShowTime and studio special events (Warner Brothers). VH1’s 80s Rock Bands Reunited Makeup/Hairstylist artist for Terri Nunn, lead singer of Berlin. Worked with talents like Mark Meadows, Bass player for Lisa Loeb, Edgar Winter, actress/singer Kimberly Adolfo, actresses Janiece Jary, Kristin Novak, Annie Burgstede, Steffany Huckaby, Joan Farrell, Chrystal Martin, Joan McCrea and Tamysen Hall, and one of my favorite faces was actor Jason Lasater, and also actors Jesse Berstein, Gary Wolf, Kevin Farrell, and many more. My partner in makeup set crime is the ever-talented Marlena Glick.  From makeup to hair weaves…we cover it all!