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BIOGRAPHY
Keith J. Hampton got his start in commercial art in 1977 at the age of 18, working in publishing, first at The Saturday Evening Post company and later at ICP as the company's magazine cover artist. By the time he reached the age of 25, he had already made his foray into marketing and advertising, working at mid-sized agencies in the Indianapolis market. A 2-year stint at Truevision, (a computer graphics and video card firm) gave him a firm base in digital media. in 1995, he started his own graphics and web design firm, it'sALLart.
Largely self-taught, Keith's hand has always been in the fine art world, showing at the IMA consignment gallery and at several regional art fairs. His focus was crystalized further in 2001 with his first solo show of paintings at Eyeblink Gallery in Fountain Square. In 2003 he jumped in with both feet, opening his own Fountain Square gallery under the it'sALLart name. With two popular solo exhibitions showing that year, Keith's fine art prowess became better known in the region and his sales began to increase. Finding the gallery biz in Indianapolis problematic, he began to show in regional galleries including Closson's (Cincinnati), Gallery One 36 (Westfield), Woodburn and Westcott (indianapolis), Harrion Center for the Arts (Indianapolis), Sullivan Munce (Zionsville), Gallery 930 (Louisville) and in Carmel, Indiana's Arts District for his "Feather & Brush" solo show. He has also shown his work in ArtSplash Gallery in Carmel and at other retail locations in the Indy area.
If eclecticism could be quantified by any type of meter, Hampton's work would be off the charts, an attribute he embraces. His works span the range of many art types, including realism, surrealism, impressionism, cubism, abstract expressionism and in the last few years, sculpture. Hampton refuses to follow the widely-accepted academic norm of steady progression in one flavor and would rather, as he puts it, "speak many languages through my art and persue a multi-faceted approach." In 2009, Hampton began working in 3d, producing sculptures for "Feather & Brush" in various materials, including wood, steel, plastic and fabric. In 2010 he created a lifesized "Yeti" sculpture which won first place at KIBI and sold one day later. In 2011, he created 20 realistic, mini-house sculptures in ceramic for his "House Works" show
Commission buyers include Eli Lilly & Company, Community Hospitals of Indianapolis, ICCHI, Arc Rehab, Dale Hughes Interiors, American Art Resources (Houston), Art by Design, Dolphin Bay Hotel and many private buyers.
KEITH TALKS ABOUT HIS WORK:
My artistic direction has had several influences since I began as an illustrator in 1977. When an artist starts out as a commercial illustrator in a small market such as Indy, one soon learns that survival means the ability to work in a variety of styles.
This has had an indelible impact on my skill as an illustrator and my fine art vision. Whereas most artists must deal with self-imposed styles, I tried to narrow my focus to a few styles.
Early on, I tried to work against the natural process of exploration and growth in whatever the canvas showed me. After some time, I learned that much like a good actor can be many characters, I can evoke many moods and styles through my art. I began to truly embrace an eclectic approach and have been much more successful as an artist.
Since adopting this method, I have learned to go back to specific styles and enjoy watching each particular style progress. I now have a growing catalog of works in each which I utilize, creating a larger and more diverse body of work. I'm encouraged and blessed by the fact that so many people have enjoyed my work - regardless of my unpredictable artistic journey- and purchased it for their homes, offices and public spaces.
Corporate Collections
Eli Lilly, two purchases
Community Hospital North, three commissions
ICHHI, one commission
Arc Rehab Services, donation & purchase
Dolphin Bay Hotel (Hawaii) Originals and prints
Private Collections
Mr. & Mrs. David Kadlec, Columbus, IN
Mr. & Mrs. Brent Cardin, Tipton, IN
Mr. Robert Shade, Carmel, IN
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bassett, Muncie, IN
Mr. & Mrs. J. Garlotte, Pheonix AZ
Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Garlotte, MI
Mr. Dennis Bradley, Indianapolis, IN
Mr. Jeffrey Short, Indianapolis, IN
Mr. and Mrs. Rian Logan, Carmel, IN
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Ellman, San Diego, CA
Mr. Dom Morando, Palm Beach, FL
Ms. Patty Blumenthal, Washington, D.C.
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Loewenthal, Carmel, IN
David Cook/John Alexander, Hilo, HI
For Keith's Q&A click HERE.
The Painting Galleries
Various Accomplishments:
Art Director for national magazine
at the age of 18
Wrote and recorded a song which played
on local radio at age 19
Cover designer for international magazine
company at the age of 20
Painting hung in the main room at the
IMA
Consignment Show at age 23
Wrote music and lyrics for over 30
vocal songs by the age of 25
Commercial jingles for two major companies
at age 27
Designed and built a log cabin from locally
harvested logs at age 32
Helped create a graphic software program
at age 33
Started successful graphic design and
marketing firm at age 36
Designed and manufactured a clothing
line at age 39
Started and ran a fine art gallery at age 41
Finished a full-length fictional novel at age 42
Has won various awards for design, paintings
and sculpture
Paintings have sold to various international
individuals and companies
Created logos for over 100 companies
Planted over 400 trees of many varieties
over the years
SHOW HISTORY
2012
Group Show, Jackson Contemporary Art, Columbus, IN
2011
House Works, Solo show, ArtSplash Gallery, Carmel, IN
2010
August, Group Exhibition, Re-Dome Project, Yeti, First Place Winner
January thru September: Closson's
2009
September: Solo Show, Feather & Brush, Arts District Gallery, Carmel, IN
Throughout the year: Closson's
2008
September: S.A.L.I. National Abstract Exhibition, Garfield Park, Indianapolis, "Pop-Fly"
May thru July, Group Show, Hendricks Co. Fairgrounds Conference Center, various works
April, Life Canvas, Group Show, Sullivan
Munce, Zionsville, IN
piece shown: Goods
in the City
April, Unusual Animals, Group Show, Gallery
930, Louisville, KY
piece shown: Crows
in the Corn
Ongoing: Arts District, Carmel, IN
February, Plainfield Library Gallery: Medium-Medium
Throughout the year: Closson's, Cincinnati
and Ashwood Artisans, NY.
2007
January, (5th thru 18th), Recent Projects: Consumption, Harrison
Center for Arts, Gallery 2, juried show, showing of Miami
Alley
February, charity auction for Indianapolis
International Film Festival, during Oscar Gala, donation of Decision and Film
Idol.
Throughout
the year: Closson's, Cincinnati and
Ashwood Artisans, NY.
September,
S.A.L.I Midwest Abstract Exhibition at Garfield Park, Award of Merit for Our Town.
2006
April, Contemporary
Colorfield Works, CCA Gallery, Zionsville
May, (ongoing) Contemporary
Colorfield and Abscapes at Closson's Gallery of Fine Art, Cincinnati, OH
May (ongoing) various works, Ashwood Artisans, Aurora, NY
August, various works in a group show, Gallery One 36, Westfield, IN
August thru October, Cityscpes and Other Works, one-man show, Clowes Hall, Indianapolis
September/October,
featured artist in Village of Westclay Luxury Showhome
October, various works in a group show, Gallery
One 36, Westfield, IN
December, charity auction for Amaya Hess, various works donated, Indianapolis
2005
May, primitive piece "Life
and Death" one of five works chosen by Indianapolis Arts Council
to be projected on
buildings in downtown Indy.
July, Historica Textura,
one-man show at School 30
July, group show at ArtsGarden, Alphanumeric works.
August, one-man show
at Stanton Coffee, various works.
2004
April, Show of Hands, Group show, 2 works including piece entitled Gospel According to
Kline Woodburn & Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
October, back to school, Group show at School 30, Indianapolis
October, Fall Show, one-man show of paintings and blockprints Woodburn
& Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
December, Holiday Art Market, Group Show at School 30, Indianapolis
2003
July, creeks and waterways,
acrylic paintings, one-man show at itsALLart gallery
Oct., in the shade,
blockprints, one-man show at itsALLart gallery
2002
Various works at Rocky Mills Gallery, Indianapolis
2001
Specimens from
a Dream Garden
One-man show at Eyeblink Gallery, Indianapolis
Several art fairs throughout Indiana
1998
- 2000
Several art fairs yearly throughout Indiana
1996
- 1997
Wabi-sabi, metalworks
using Japanese philosophy. One-man show at Theatre on the Square Gallery,
Indianapolis
Several art fairs throughout Indiana:
Fesitval
of Light, Broadripple
Jasper Strassenfest, Jasper
Earth Festival, Atlanta
Fall Art Festival, Danville
Paoli Artfest, Paoli
Zionsville Summerfest, Zionsville
1994
As you like it, Computer Graphic Cibachromes, One-man show at 911
Gallery, Indianapolis (Piece entitled Elvis published later in Harper
Collins Photography as a premier example of computer graphics.)
1982 - 1986
Various works showings/sales IMA Consignment Gallery, Indianapolis
1982
Eagle Creek Art Festival Indianapolis
