Check Out Keith Christensen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Christensen

Hi Keith, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in 1974 in the Chicago suburbs and was always interested in art. The film and television of the 70s and 80s have probably been the biggest influence on me in my work and career. As far back as I can remember I was drawing, painting, sculpting, and fabricating anything and everything from my favorite movies and shows.
After 4 frustrating years in art school, I moved to Los Angeles in 1997. At that time I had no idea how the industry worked, or that make-up/creature effects, model making and miniatures, props, costumes, visual effects etc. were all totally different jobs done by different companies or production departments. I finally settled into make-up effects and creature work using my illustration and sculpting skills as a foundation. I learned more in 6 months of working than I did in four years of Art $chool. From silicone babies and body parts for Chicago Hope and CSI to vampires and demons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I got to work on all kinds of fun stuff in the early years of my career.
In 2002 I was married and we had a daughter in 2005. The love and support from both my wife Kim and my daughter Mia have been crucial to any success I’ve experienced.
Another major turning point for me was being hired by Jose Fernandez at Ironhead Studio. For the next couple of years, Jose pushed me to up my game. I was then hired to do conceptual design for Man of Steel in the costume department. During the previous decade, because of the increasing use of CGI, creature shops had been transitioning into specialty costume fabrication. Rubber monsters were being replaced by digital ones, but superhero costumes, fantasy armor, space suits etc. were becoming more sophisticated. Despite my love for monsters, I found opportunities within specialty costume design to utilize my interest in history, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as experience with materials and fabrication from working in the shops.
From X-Men to Star Wars, Marvel movies, Avatar, and Dune, I continue to be blessed with opportunities to do what I love.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’d have to say the biggest struggle was supporting a family in Los Angeles. Work wasn’t always consistant and rent never went down. There were quite a few years of living check to check. There may be some in the future haha!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m probably best known for doing specialty costume conceptual design that takes into consideration practical fabrication issues while maintaining an emphasis on narrative, simplicity, and overall design. Hands-on experience in sculpture and fabrication gives me unique insight into many aspects of the process.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Despite my artistic endeavors, I spent a lot of time outdoors as a kid. Exploring, climbing trees, rope swings, riding bikes, and the occasional trip to the emergency room. Pretty typical suburban boy’s life. Lots of reading too. Classics, Batman comics, National Geographic, Starlog magazine, and my childhood favorite…paperback movie adaptations. I’ve always been interested in music as well. I did about 7 years of (mandatory) piano lessons that I appreciate now but dreaded then (especially recitals).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kachristensen_art/
• Other: https://www.artstation.com/keithchristensen