Artist's Statement:
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 like Indianapolis, 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 may at times struggle to break free of whatever styles they have found, I struggled to narrow my focus to a few styles instead of the constantly changing myriad that seemingly comes natural.

In the early years I tried to work against this “problem” and was quite disheartened by it. 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 a multi-faceted approach. I now see it as an amazingly positive force of creativity.

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.

Biography:
Keith J. Hampton has over three decades of agency and studio experience in illustration and design and nearly the same in fine art. Largely self-taught, he began his career in 1977 at the age of 18, illustrating in-house for the Saturday Evening Post company and 2 years later landed the job of cover artist for ICP Publishing, creating over 20 covers a year.

He has had a hand in fine art since his career began and in 1996 he focused more intently on it with work in oil and acrylic painting and block printing. His shows have garnered positive reviews and helped him gain acceptance regionally.

In June of 2003, he opened it'sALLart gallery in Fountain Square in Indianapolis, showing his and other artists work. After nearly a year of promoting and advertising the gallery, he moved his studio back to his home and concentrated his efforts with other regional galleries in order to focus on working primarily in his studio and plein air.

He now spends time creating new works and concentrating on direct sales to interior design professionals and thru galleries, retailers and individuals. His work is in several private and corporate collections and can be purchased at several shows a year at various locations throughout state and regional galleries.

Corporate Collections:
Eli Lilly & Company
Community Hospitals of Indianapoils
ICCHI
Arc Rehab Services


Show History:
2008
Life Canvas, Group Show, Sullivan Munce, Zionsville, IN
Unusual Animals, Group Show, Gallery 930, Louisville, KY
Magdalena Gallery, Group Show/Gallery Walk
Plainfield Library Gallery: Medium-Medium
2007
Recent Projects: Consumption, Harrison Center for Arts, Gallery 2, juried show, Indianapolis International Film Festival, during Oscar Gala
S.A.L.I Midwest Abstract Exhibition at Garfield Park, Award of Merit
2006
Contemporary Colorfield Works, CCA Gallery, Zionsville
Ashwood Artisans, Aurora, NY
Gallery One 36, Westfield, IN
One-man show, Clowes Hall, Indianapolis
Village of Westclay Luxury Showhome
2005
Primitive piece "Life and Death" one of five works chosen by Indianapolis Arts Council to be projected on buildings in downtown Indy.
Historica Textura, one-man show at School 30
Group show at ArtsGarden, Alphanumeric works.
One-man show at Stanton Coffee, various works.
2004
Show of Hands, Group show, Woodburn & Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
Group show at School 30, Indianapolis
One-man show of paintings and blockprints Woodburn & Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
creeks and waterways, acrylic paintings, one-man show at itsALLart gallery
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

Bibliography

Computer Graphics World, February 1991,
Flexible Design, pgs 78,79

Photography, Fifth Edition, pg. 288, Digital Imaging,
1994, pub. Harper Collins

Mother Earth News, June/July 1996,
Cutting Yourself Thin

Water Gardening Magazine, March/April, 2001
Hardy Water Lillies, Keith J. Hampton, pg.56

Indianapolis Star, July 11, 2003,
Artist Travels Along Parallel Streams, by S.L. Berry

NUVO Newsweekly, July 9th, 2003
Visual Art Preview, by David Hoppe

Website: www.itsallart.com