
Keith Epps
Professional MemberDetails
First Name | Keith |
Last Name | Epps |
Username | keithepps |
Website | |
Region | Edinburgh & The Lothians |
Disciplines | Painting |
Themes | Figurative, Landscape |
Statement
Statement | Any artwork should grab the attention of the viewer, and reward at first glance. With longer exposure, it should fulfill its potential to convey the feelings and ideas of the artist – of whatever discipline – and provoke further thought.
Ideally that is…
My own work is representational, though not photorealistic, and relies heavily on reference material – drawn or photographed. My subject matter is not limited to specific genres, but I have been led to landscape through a fascination with clouds. Figures are a constant preoccupation; I often sketch passers-by from the window as a warm-up exercise.
I enjoy the technical business of painting, and work mainly in oil paint and watercolour. I tend to use watercolour to draw rapid, transient events from life – figures and skies – while the more complex easel work is done with oil paint, using a variety of oil mediums. Different oils, with varnish, have smoother or stickier paint qualities, and lend themselves to harder or softer marks. Stroking and blending the oily paint softens and rolls it, and I like the even surface that results. Whenever possible, I try to exploit the transparency and opacity of the pigments I’m using.
When composing, I frequently use photoshop for testing ideas – the initial elements of the work can be changed and adjusted more easily and accurately than with multiple separate evolutions on paper. A lot of my image sources are from photographs anyway, and I find some of my landscapes and skies on google streetview.
For some time now, I’ve been driven by one of the least original ideas in art – Et in Arcadia Ego – where the dark and painful exists within the light and beautiful. For me, these ideas had their genesis in watching the 1990s Yugoslav wars on TV; I found it hard to reconcile those ghastly events happening within such a beautiful setting.
Underlying all my future work will be the constant development of painting technique and drawing skills, and further development of my use of the human figure; it has a unique and infinite potential to induce emotional resonance. |
Biography
Biography | biog & development Son of Ernie and Doreen, and Brother of Ian Married to Colby Adams
1954 – Born in London, brought up to Edinburgh in 1965. Studied Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art 1973-77.
Post-college, I briefly door-stepped for house-drawing commissions. During the next decade, rarely exhibiting, I produced figurative work that reflected my personal fears, doubts, and anxieties.
Resuming serious painting in 2007, I have continued to work with figures. My subject range has widened, and now includes landscapes and skys, but can still be unsettling. My attachment to representational work, using oil paint or watercolour, remains strong.
I live and work in Edinburgh.
Development 2020 Open Eye Gallery – Edinburgh – On a Small Scale – invited mixed show 2019 Open Eye Gallery – On a Small Scale 2019 Open Eye Gallery – Solo Show 2019 SSA (Society of Scottish Artists) – Professional Member 2019 SSA Open – selected show 2018 Open Eye Gallery – On a Small Scale 2018 SSA/VAS Open 2017 Open Eye Gallery – On a Small Scale 2017 Union Gallery – Edinburgh – Mixed 2016 SSA 2016 RSA Open (Royal Scottish Academy) – selected 2016 Union Gallery – Edinburgh – ‘Reunion’ – mixed 2015 SSA 2014 VAS (Visual Arts Scotland) – selected 2014 SSA 2014 Union Gallery – Solo show ‘Dark Arcadias’ 2013 SSA 2012 Private Commission 2012 SSA 2012 VAS 2011 Private Commission 2011 SSA 2011 Hanover fine arts – Edinburgh – mixed 2009 Hanover fine arts – Edinburgh 2008 Private Commission 2008 Colours gallery – Edinburgh – mixed
an interval
1984 SSA 1982 SSA 1977-78 House drawing commissions
1973-77 Edinburgh College of Art |