it'sALLart - about the artist

BIOGRAPHY

Keith 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 closed in 2004 and 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 most recently at Magdalena Gallery in Carmel for his "Feather & Brush" show.

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 most recently 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." Admittedly, his path has been occasionally blocked where galleries or curators were concerned. Critics and the public's response, however, has been extremely positive. One consistant factor is Keith's level of quality; his work sells readily to art buyers. Not surprisingly, art brokers have taken notice. Commissions within the last few years include Eli Lilly & Company, Community Hospitals of Indianapolis, ICCHI, Arc Rehab and many private buyers.

SHOW HISTORY

2009

September: Solo Show, Feather & Brush, Magdalena Gallery, Carmel, IN

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: Magdalena Gallery, Carmel

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

1993

As you like it, Computer Graphic Cibachromes, One-man show at 911 Gallery, Indianapolis (Piece entitled Elvis published later in Harper Collins Photography 1994 as a premier example of computer graphics.)

1982 - 1986

Various works showings/sales IMA Consignment Gallery, Indianapolis

1982

Eagle Creek Art Festival Indianapolis

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, you soon learn 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 have to deal with self-imposed styles they have developed, I tried to narrow my focus to a few styles instead of just painting and letting multiple styles happen naturally.

Early on, I tried to work against the natural process. But after some time, I learned that, much like a good actor can be many characters, I can speak many languages through my art and began to embrace this multi-faceted approach.

Since that time, 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 can utilize to create a larger and more diverse body of work. I'm encouraged and blessed by the fact that so many people have thought enough of my work - regardless of my unpredictable artistic journey- to purchase it for their homes and offices.