ARTIST BIO

 Keith Blake paints with oils in a traditional realist style. He is a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists.Keiths interest in illustration commenced in 1950 when he started work as a signwriting apprentice. His association with the sign industry extended over a period of 40 years. For 25 of those years he was a technical teacher with TAFE Queenslaand teaching subjects related to lettering.design,colour,illustration,commercial screen printing and serigraphy.

In 1993 he moved to Mapleton,a small village in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and established his Studio-Gallery. He accepts commissions for painting a wide variety of subjects but specialises in rainforest and coastal scenes,places of historical interest and events that form part of Australian lifestyle.

His paintings have sold into private and company collections throughout Australia and many overseas countries.Paintings in his "Workhorse Series", "Campfire Series",and" Characters in Hats Series" are extremely popular with overseas tourists who visit his Studio . Prizes and commendations have been received from numerous ,selected art exhibitions and festivals across Australia.    

From 2003 to 2022,  91"First Prizes"have been awarded,including Kilmore Art Expo,South Burnett Regional Art Prize,Peterborough Art Prize,SnowyHydro Art Awards(2),Blackwater Acquisitive,Barcaldine Art Festival,WSC Acquisitive, Hinchinbrook Acquisitive,Maranoa Art Society (3) Wagga Wagga Art Prize,Mackay Art Society(4) ,North Coast National Art Awards(3), South Burnett Regional Acquisitive...      41  "Peoples Choice Awards" were given to Keiths work includingWaltzing Matilda Art Awards(3) D'arcy Doyle Art Prize,Ipswich Art Awards,Kidaman Rotary Art Show,Soroptomist International,Rotary Leongatha Art Awards..

The 41 "Peoples Choice Awards " received are most valued by Keith as they represent a broad acceptance of his work by the general public