Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Dion.
Keith, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Art was ‘the first thing’ I did. I also fell in love with nature and the ocean and comedy and acting, but in my earliest childhood art was the first thing I did, my first interest, my first passion. I was always drawing and sketching. My favorite was pen and ink, I also liked pencil. I liked drawing anything around – structures, views, streets, the pier, people. I drew my own cartoons. I liked very detailed pen and ink drawings of structures, but I also liked super simple caricature sketches of people. Eventually, I started making my own hand-drawn mazes. I drew them on the inside of workbooks, I made huge ones on poster boards. Into my teens and adulthood life brought other interests and responsibilities, but I still always held onto being involved in some sort of art. I eventually got involved in graphic arts. I enjoyed doing my own graphic arts, sign-making and advertising layout during the years I owned my comedy club. In the 2000s, I started having strong feelings of getting reconnected with my art, what’s in me, and my art roots. In 2013 I discovered a love of photography. I haven’t stopped taking pictures since. After so many years, I have started making my mazes again. Recently I have been enjoying abstract art. I love making art. Being an artist is in you, it’s who you are, what you see, how you feel, how you express, it’s a part of you.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It can be a “smooth road” with your interests and passion and experience with your art. That’s the ‘fun part’, the love, the enjoyment of creating. That can be smooth. As far as any “struggle”?… I would immediately go to financial. Anyone wanting to pursue any art as your only source of income faces the struggle and pressure of the financial situation. It’s always easier to settle on a ‘regular’ job. A guaranteed scheduled source of income and health insurance. That would be the struggle part. To be truly free to live as an artist, making a living as an artist and living with your art.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I love my photography. Beauty and art is all around, everywhere, in any moment. I like to describe my photography as a visual artistic moment. I’m not heavy into the technical equipment part. It’s the moment: I was there, this is what I saw, and I want to share that.
I’ve been enjoying putting some of my photography and art on t-shirts. It’s a fun way to share your art.
I’m really enjoying making my mazes. Hand-drawn, unique, one-of-a-kind. And then combining them with a unique artistic element. It’s a unique place to go with my mind. The technicality and thought put into the maze, then the freedom and wonderment of the art part.
Lately, I’ve been also into abstract art. My mind is seeing ideas and concepts. I’ve just started working with those visuals and ideas, and it’s an interesting place to go, I love it.
Your art is in you, you have to do it. Then you share it.
I appreciate the bond, support and encouragement from my art friends and especially from my sweet wife.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have several favorite childhood memories with art, nature, making people laugh, family, learning. I would say my favorite childhood memory is the overall experience of those things as a child, a fresh human canvas, just starting to experience life, and enjoying those moments.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/keith.foto.and.art
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/keithfotoandart
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/shopKEITH
Image Credit:
Keith Dion
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