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Mark Keathley was born on April 23, 1963, the son of loving and dedicated
parents, and the middle of three children. He spent his early years growing
up on the family farm in East Texas and has always dearly loved and enjoyed
the glorious and diverse world around him.
Those early years in the country have definitely had a lasting effect
on what he loves to paint. Vivid memories of chasing lizards, exploring
the creek, raising chickens, making forts in the thick brush, hunting
with his father and grandfather, and whatever else could be dreamed up
are the inner strands that help to make up the colorful collection of
memories that make up his boyhood. Although, at the time, he was unaware
of what was happening to him, he can now see what that kind of life, in
his particular family, has given him. He now has a deep appreciation for
a simpler life where raising and providing for his family, thoroughly
enjoying his wife (and best friend), and doing the work that was given
to him to do are his daily delights. As a child, however, his daily delights
were trying to get that big bass on a hook, or to see how high he could
climb in the old sweet gum tree. There was always something different
to do, but there was a common thread that found its way in almost every
situation. "Look at that!" he would say calling attention to the colors
of trees, or a young colt kicking up his heels as he would bolt from the
coral. He was constantly paying attention to the beauty of that late evening
sunlight on grand pine trees and soft pastures of grass.
Rarely did something beautiful escape his notice. At an early age he was
taken with the desire to capture those perfect moments in time when a
fond memory just was not enough. Upon discovering his mothers box of oils
and brushes in the attic, a spark of interest and determination was kindled.
The fan of encouragement from family and friends, and the flame of accomplishment
moved him in the direction of art as a career. He says his First landscape,
at age twelve, "was a tribute to green ... and not much else, but he continued
to pursue those scenes with charcoal and pencils as his tools. At Fifteen
he was given a starter set of acrylics, a wildlife magazine subscription
for subject matter, and the rest is, as they say, history. He has painted
nearly every day of his life since.
Combined with this love of beauty, is a God given talent, and a rigorous
schedule of painting. These things have enabled him to succeed as an artist,
and as one able to give something for others to enjoy. At the age of 20
he spent a year of Christian mission work with relatives in South Africa
where he learned that people would actually pay for his artwork. He went
back home with the determination to become a professional artist. ][Es
work as been widely enjoyed and respected. Whether sitting in a booth
at an arts and crafts fair (in his early years) or high atop a city building
at a one man show, the public has loved what he does. He has won many
awards including the coveted "popular award" twice at the Texas Ranger
Hall of Fame Show (1987-88), as well as gold and silver awards for both
acrylic and oil paintings. He also received the gold award for a painting
entered in the Old West Museum show in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1991.
Mark is driven by his faith and a passion for life. Never wanting to just
"get by", he strives for excellence in everything he does. His family
and his personal relationship with God are the most important things to
him. And he sees his talent as something bestowed upon him. He is determined
to get the most out of what was given to him by faithfully pursuing and
pushing his talent to the limit... forever expanding the boundaries of
his abilities.
In
a world of turbulence and unrest, Mark Keathley gently reminds us of the
beauty and peace available in this life. He desires to tell stories to
his viewers of the delightfulness of a moment, the importance of life
itself, the beauty of things and people that normally go unnoticed. <br>
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CAO
YONG