EDUCATION
Master's degree in Studio Art, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York, 1999
Bachelor of Fine Arts (awarded with distinction), Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California, 1984
SELECTED SOLO AND TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2024 Abstract Reality, Guilford Art Center, Guilford, Connecticut - twenty-nine works from the past twenty-three years, showing a range of artistic investigations from representational genre scenes through expressionistic imaginary faces - oil on canvas and board, and watercolor on paper
2018 Expressive Landscapes, Keyes Gallery at WWML, Branford, Connecticut - twenty-four genre paintings with abstract as well as representational considerations, done over the past fifteen years, various sizes, oil on canvas and board
2008 Tunnels and Bridges: Ten Years of Moving Paint,
300 George Street Exhibition Space, New Haven, Connecticut – several
selected paintings that together describe a deepening exploration of
the, at times, grudgingly harmonic co-existence of the figure with
abstraction
2005 Artist Portrait Series, William Maxwell
Fine Arts at 121 Restaurant and Bar, North Salem, New York – fifteen
portraits of artists, past and present, done from existing photographs –
charcoal and oil on various surfaces found around the studio
2003 Figurescapes,
Scranton Library, Madison, Connecticut – a recent retrospective of
small and large scale figurative abstractions in oil, collage and
charcoal
2002 Speaking Figuratively: Anatomical Metaphors of the Body,
Maxwell Fine Arts, Peekskill, New York – two person exhibition with
Jo-Ann Brody – small scale figurative abstractions in oil and collage
2001 Prime Passion, Chappaqua Library Gallery, Chappaqua, New York
new
closely cropped abstractions loosely depicting parts of the body with
an attitude of frank sexuality – oil on canvas, charcoal
1999 Familiar Passages, Piermont Flywheel Gallery, Piermont, New York
new figuratively influenced abstractions; charcoal on paper and oil paint on canvas
1998 Rayburn Light, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York
recent abstract compositions with figurative references - oil on wood and canvas
1996 The Main Street Gallery, Dobbs Ferry, New York - recent large scale
expressionistic portraits and group figurative compositions in oil
1996 Igor Trout Fine Arts, New Rochelle, New York - overview of expressionistic painting evolution of past four years - figurative references in acrylic and oil
1995 Dobbs Ferry Art Workshop, Dobbs Ferry, New York - expressionistic
small portrait and figurative studies in acrylic with oil pastel
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Infinite Thunder, LIchtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka -
one medium expressive landscape painting, oil and oil stick on canvas, and two small expressive landscape paintings, oil on panel
2023 Refracture (Visual Realignment), Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York – curated by Priska Juschka - one large figurative abstract painting and two small expressive face paintings, oil on canvas and oil on board
2022 Summer Blues, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka -
one large and one medium abstract figuration - oil on canvas
2022 Reshuffle, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka and Robert Curcio - one large and one medium figurative abstractions - collage and oil on paper and board
2021 Presence, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka and Robert Curcio - one large and two small paintings referring to the time of Covid19 - oil on canvas and wood panel
2018 Where to Draw the Line, OneWay Gallery, Narragansett, Rhode Island - curated by D. Dominick Lombardi - two medium figurative abstractions - oil on canvas
2018 Luxurious Growth, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Robert Curcio and Priska Juschka - one medium and one small figurative abstraction - oil on canvas
2018 Color High and Raw Emotions, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka and Arielle Mark - two medium figurative abstractions - oil on canvas
2017-2018 Past as Prologue (or The Effects of Modernism on Contemporary Art), Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka - two figurative abstractions - charcoal and oil medium on paper and found wood
2017 Summer Sex II (The Unbearable Lightness of Being), Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka - one large figurative abstraction - oil on canvas
2017 Summer Sex I (On the Spur of the Moment), Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, New York curated by Priska Juschka - one large figurative abstraction - oil on canvas
2008 Abstract Summer, The Claude Gallery, Eastchester, New York, A representative selection of abstract paintings done over the past ten years which are based in varying degrees on the figure - oil
2008 A Sense of Place,
Sylvan Gallery, Clinton, Connecticut – one small oil painting exploring
realist subject matter with an emphasis on the abstract and expressive
qualities of the figure/ground relationship – juried by Lou Bonamarte
2007 The Flat File Show, William Maxwell Fine Arts, Peekskill, New York, twenty abstract figurative drawings in charcoal, oil medium and various combinations of white chalk, gesso, and black and white oil-based enamel on Rieves Paper
2006-2007
Office of the Mayor, New Rochelle, New York – one painting in
the style of Romare Bearden showcased in an exhibit of work by New Rochelle artists referring to the city of New Rochelle
2005 The Other Side, Studio12N@resolution, New York, New York artists/as/teachers/as/artists – curated by Alexi Brock - a selection of figurative abstractions in oil paint and charcoal, various sizes
2005 Tri-State Juried Exhibition, Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah, New York – one new figurative abstraction, charcoal and oil medium on wood
2004 The Westchester Biennial 2004, Castle Gallery, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York – juried all-media art exhibition featuring innovative works by Westchester County artists – two new figurative abstractions – oil on wood and canvas
2003 The Drawing Show, Westchester Arts Council, White Plains, New York juried exhibition of Westchester County artists, curated by Dr. Rosemary Cohane Erpf – various sized figurative abstractions - charcoal on paper
2002 The Human Presence: Interpretations,
Westchester Arts Council, White Plains, New York – juried exhibition of
Westchester County artists, curated by Rosemary Cohane Erpf – various
sized figurative abstractions - oil on canvas and charcoal on paper
2002 International Group Show 2002, Caelum Gallery, New York, New York – one figurative abstraction – oil on canvas
2001 Holiday Salon Show, Maxwell Fine Arts, Peekskill, New York - small figurative abstractions – oil on canvas and charcoal on paper
2001 Teaching Artists II,
The Rye Arts Center, Rye, New York – juried exhibition of the work of
Art Educators, curated by Elizabeth Thompson Colleary - new closely
cropped abstractions referring to the figure – oil on canvas
2001 One Wall, Walter Wickiser Gallery, New York, New York – new small abstractions referring to the figure – oil on canvas
2000 Artists of the Third Millennium, Walter Wickiser Gallery, New York, New York - recent small abstractions referring to the figure and landscape - oil
1999 Allegorical Mutations, Fleetwood Stage Art Gallery at Wildcliff, New Rochelle, New York - two-person exhibition with Joanna Kornreich, curated by David Terry and Alexandra Rutsch-Brock of the Pelham Art Center - expressionistic abstractions, with
figurative references - oil
1997 Annual Juried Exhibition,
Synchronicity Space, New York, New York - curated by Priska Juschka and
gallery-represented artists figurative abstractions - oil on canvas and
wood
1996 Annual Juried Exhibition, Edward Day Gallery, Ontario, Canada curated by Daphne Emanuel - one large scale expressionistic oil portrait
EXPERIENCE
2005-Present Instructor, Don Keene Studio, Madison, Connecticut, teach group classes in drawing and painting to teens and adults
2000-2023 Art Teacher, Mamaroneck Senior and Junior High Schools, Mamaroneck, New York - teach Foundation Art and Advanced Placement Art
1995-2007 Instructor, Don Keene Studio, New Rochelle, New York, taught group classes and private lessons in drawing and painting to teens and adults
2006 Guest Lecturer, Madison Art Society, Madison, Connecticut gave a two hour demonstration on portrait painting
2003
Visiting Artist, The Guilford Handcraft Center, Guilford, Connecticut –
taught a two-day workshop entitled Breaking the Rules of Painting
2001,2000,1997
Guest Lecturer, Master Teachers Workshop, College of New Rochelle, New
Rochelle, New York - part of a group presentation by secondary school
art teachers to graduate level art education students
1993-2000 Chair, Fine Arts Department, Iona Preparatory School, New Rochelle, New York - responsible for teaching all art
courses offered at the school: Foundation Drawing and Design, Senior
Art Projects, portfolio development and curating exhibitions for
students and guest artists in the Paul Verni Fine Arts Center
1998 Guest Lecturer, College Center Exhibit Hall, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York - gave a gallery talk discussing the work in my solo exhibition, Rayburn Light, and answered questions from the audience
1993-1998 Instructor, Pelham Art Center, Pelham, New York - taught sketch-book drawing to young students, and drawing and painting to adults
1996 Guest Lecturer, Harrison Council for the Arts, Harrison, New York - presented slides of my recent work and answered questions pertaining to my role as an artist
1989-1992 Instructor, School of Visual Arts, New York, New York - taught Principles of Illustration to second year students - Jack Endewelt and Marshall Arisman, department chairs
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Pam, "Keene's Bold, Expressionistic Art on Display at Guilford Art Center," The Source, Madison, CT and The Courier, Guilford, CT, March 7, 2024
Lombardi, D. Dominick, "Where to Draw the Line, at Rhode Island's OneWay Gallery," Artes Magazine, Culture Catch, September 5, 2018
Goodman, Jonathan, catalog essay for "Summer Sex II (The Unbearable Lightness of Being)", Lichtundfire Gallery, NY, NY, August 8th - August 30th, 2017
Goodman, Jonathan, catalog essay for "Summer Sex I (On the Spur of the Moment)", Lichtundfire Gallery, NY, NY, July 12th - August 4th, 2017
Gilwit, Kathy, “Mayor’s Office Art Gallery,”The Sound Report, New Rochelle NY, August 11, 2006
Lombardi, D. Dominick, “Drawings and Paintings, Rich in Symbolism," The NewYork Times, Sunday, June 15, 2003
Lombardi, D. Dominick, “Abstract Paintings That Create a Visual RollerCoaster Ride,” The New York Times, Sunday, December 15, 2002
Howard, Brian J., “Artists explore the human form – figuratively speaking,” The Star, Peekskill, NY, November 28, 2002
Barry, Amy J., “Spotlight on the Arts: Featuring Don Keene Painter,” The Harbor News, Madison, CT, March 14, 2002
Withers, James, “Fakes Prove Fabulous at Library Exhibit”, Standard Star, New Rochelle, NY, November 9, 2001
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California
The Honorable and Mrs. Mark Zuckman, Hancock Park, California
Mr. Justo Miranda, Larchmont, New York and Spain
Dr. William C. Maxwell, Cold Spring, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Blizard, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Mr. and Mrs. James Kiberd, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Thom Christopher, New York, New York
Ms. Gretchen Keene, Los Angeles, California
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eichler, New Rochelle, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Stillman, Mamaroneck, New York
Ms. Leslie Singer, Madison, Connecticut
Ms. Leila Esmailzadeh, Bethany, Connecticut