Keith Clark: Watercolors That Breathe Life and Color

Keith Clark’s art career is literally blooming these days. Thanks to modern technology and thanks to finally finding uninterrupted time to paint after retiring from a 30-year career as an instructor of drawing and painting in the San Juan Unified School District, Clark is producing some of the best work of his life. Many of his works are florals, but he also paints meticulously crafted portraits. His depictions of pine cones and leaves give new dimension to these objects from nature, discovered and cherished in the oak and pine forests of El Dorado County.

When one usually thinks of watercolors, one usually thinks of subtle pastels. Clark’s work is the opposite. Vibrant colors leap off the paper. Sensuality, nuance and, of course, superb craftsmanship add to the mix. Clark’s wife, Jeanette Alexander, recalled that when she first saw her future husband’s work, “I began dreaming in color for the first time in my life.”

Their El Dorado Hills home is a symphony of light, featuring a large skylight, carefully placed lamps and nearly floor to ceiling windows that overlook a creek; the changing light there is an ongoing source of inspiration for Clark. “I love the interaction of light and form.” An array of paintings fills the walls of the home.

“I deal in flowers,” says Clark, referring to his bold florals, “because of their tantalizing complex shapes. I enjoy painting the fascinating patterns created as light interacts with the flower form.” Typically he’ll draft sketches of a flower using primacolor pencils. Such is his reverence for life that he won’t pick a flower in order to paint it; rather, he works on location.

For many years Clark sold only his original paintings. But thanks to some amazing innovations in high-end computer scanning and printing processes, he is now making available Giclée prints. These archival prints on non-acid watercolor paper are virtually indistinguishable from the orginals. Each painting comes in a limited edition of 200 individual signed and numbered prints. The prints are in two sizes: 14” x 21” and 21” x 29”.

Clark brings years of professionalism to his creations. He has a bachelor’s degree in art from California State University, San Jose and a master’s from California State University, Sacramento. His works have appeared in many prestigious shows. Among them: the California State Fair in Sacramento; Art Works Gallery in Fair Oaks, California (four shows); Hayward Festival of Arts; Haggin Museum-S.A.L. 28th in Stockton, California (honorable mention); Haggin Museum S.A.L. 29th (first place, two-dimensional); Haggin Museum-S.A.L. 42nd (Merit Award); U.O.P. Invitational Watercolor in Stockton; California Riparian Show, University of California, Davis (second place watercolor, 1981); Crocker-Kingsley, E.B. Crocker Museum, Sacramento, California (two shows); and Robert Else Gallery, California State University, Sacramento.

From December 1 to December 8 he showed at the El Dorado Arts Council Winter Membership Show, Government Center, Placerville, where he was awarded a first-place award for his portraiture. In spring 2001 he’ll be the featured artist at Bennett Exclusive Gallery, 304 Main Street, Placerville.

2215 Allegheny Road

El Dorado Hills CA 95762

916.933.0569