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Meet the Artists

Your Portraits

Interview with Celeste Keller - "...now trying to make up for lost time."

SP: How did you become interested in art?

CK: I have always loved art. It was something that I found easy and enjoyable to do. My dad collects all kinds of art and he was always bringing home interesting pieces that he loved which sometimes drove my mother crazy. So, in a weird way, I guess my parents had prepared me at an early age for what would become of my art practice; the experience of making something that I loved which also had the potential of driving someone else crazy.

SP: How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?

CK: Representational to abstract on parallel streams. I use the figure to exercise this.  I received classical training in drawing and painting, but I found it to be too restrictive.   I love to create movement in my paintings and I love to see the movement of the paint and the purpose of the mark being made.

SP: Why do you think you are compelled to paint portraits?

CK: I love the idea of taking someone’s image and getting beneath the surface to express something deeper, more personal and more meaningful. I tend to think of my portrait work as intuitive. Often I find that my work goes beyond what the sitter is presenting to me. It’s hard to describe. It’s like a strong emotional thing that I connect to and in the end it has a profound impact on me and on the sitter.

SP: How do you maintain momentum in your art practice?

CK: Immediately after completing my degree in Studio Art I took a 12 year break from painting and worked various office jobs. Having been away from my art work for that extended period of time has motivated me to spend as much time as I possibly can in my studio. I paint almost every day now trying to make up for lost time. So, my advice to any artist feeling a lack of momentum in their process; go spend some time at an office job!

SP: Are there subjects you prefer to paint?

CK: Yes.  I prefer to paint women and young girls. I love to paint hair; long, flowing, wind blown, messy hair. I love the way the flesh peeks through the lines of the hair.

SP: Was your experience on Star Portraits different from what you thought it was going to be?

CK: I had faithfully watched the entire first season of Star Portraits so, I knew what it was all about, but I had no idea how incredible it was going to be. I thought I’d be really nervous about being in front of the cameras, but the production crew and Louise Pitre made me feel so comfortable and at ease. I eventually forgot that I was being filmed. It was an amazing experience.

SP: Were you surprised to have Mike Holmes as the celebrity sitter?

CK: I think “surprised” is a bit of an understatement.  I was floored!  I LOVE Mike Holmes!  I spent so much time before hand trying to figure out who it was going to be. I had no idea it would be Mike Holmes.  Even when Louise said his name and he made his way over to us, it didn’t register.  I was in a state of shock.   Did I mention how much I LOVE him?

SP: Where do you see yourself with your art in the future?

CK: It’s only been three incredible years since I’ve dedicated myself to being a ‘full time, professional artist’ so, I’m open to whatever wonderful art experiences are out there for me.  In the meantime, I will continue to explore, learn and paint!

Artist Stats

Celeste Keller is a figurative painter who focuses on the connections between the figure and the space that surrounds it. She is interested in the portrayal of what she calls ‘urban moments’. Celeste received her formal training at the University of Guelph and studied under Tony Scherman, Margaret Priest, Ron Shuebrook and at the Ontario College of Art. Recently, she was awarded the Edward Jones Award of Merit for her subway portraits in the Neilson Park Creative Centre’s 16th Annual Juried Competition.

http://celestekeller.com