Visual Artist + Painter
About the Artist
Jean Keller, is a contemporary realist; known mainly for her seascapes, big skies, and other coastal and figurative scenes.
“ My love for coastal imagery comes from growing up on a barrier island — just blocks from the sandy beach in Cape May County, NJ. I paint [with passion] the memories of my youth… and feel a visceral connection with the sea. My goal is to always include: energy, light, and emotional presence — no matter the subject.”
After earning her BFA in graphic design, Jean embraced an award-winning career in Boston, MA — working in both large agencies and small, boutique studios. A visual person at her core, Jean is constantly learning and challenging herself in her craft. Her design work with AT&T, AMEX, Humana, Quaker, Fidelity… (to name just a few) demanded creative interpretations of business strategies.
She’s won professional accolades for her advertising/design skills and is currently adding national and international award recognition to her fine art CV.
Most recently she has added florals and animal portraits to her repertoire as she expands her portfolio to include a variety of images beyond the land and sea.
“ I consider myself a studio artist, but I spend as much time as possible outside — walking the in nature, or chasing sunsets — filling my senses with visual information and awe.”
Jean lives and works in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Awards
2022 Award of Excellence Nat'l Oil & Acrylics Painters Society
2022 Top 25 Oil on Canvas (juried) Nat'l Assoc. of Women Artists
2022 Suzanne Hassel Award Warren Art Festival, Warren RI
2021 Best of 2021 Finalist (International) Camelback Gallery
2021 Realistic Landscape Bronze (International) Camelback Gallery
2021 Animal Portraiture Bronze (International) Camelback Gallery
2021 Summer Beaches Top 40 (International) Art Preservation Initiative
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Selected Group Exhibitions:
2022 Fall Showcase Oil Painters of America
2022 Juried Members Bristol Art Museum
2022 Summer Showcase Oil Painters of America
2022 Spring Showcase Oil Painters of America
2021 Fall Showcase Oil Painters of America
2021 ArtNight (featured artist) Bristol/Warren, Bristol RI
2021 Summer Showcase Oil Painters of America
2021 Spring Showcase Oil Painters of America
2021 Art in Bloom Linden Place, Bristol, RI
2021 Spring Fever (juried show) Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, RI
2021 Fakes and Forgeries Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, RI
2020 Fall Showcase Oil Painters of America
2020 Little Picture Show Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, RI
2020 The Great Outdoors (juried) Medford Art Center, Medford, NJ
2020 103rd Annual Art by the Bay (juried) Duxbury Art Association, Duxbury MA
2020 ArtNight (featured artist) Bristol/Warren, Bristol RI
2019 Cold Snap (juried) Bristol Art Museum, Members Show, Bristol RI
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Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Artist Member of National Society of Women Artists (NY, MA)
Associate Member of Oil Painters of America, American Society of Marine Artists, American Women Artists, and National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society.
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Education
Additional studies: Jennifer Gennari, Paul Batch, W.N. "Bill" McLane, Irina Cumberland
1974-1978 BFA, Communication Design, minor in Art History, Kutztown University, PA