Keeley Rae

Artist Statement

“Fragile Creatures” that what we, My work explores human vulnerability – the aged, the impoverished, the sad, the lonely, the newborn. The inspiration came during a visit to the Met, where I encountered Adonis by Antonio Corradini. His sculpted form looked less like a mighty hunter’s epic death and more like a young boy drifting off to sleep. The vulnerability struck me deeply. I began wondering how many such delicate moments we witness in our daily lives. For these drawings I switched from my usual oil paints to charcoal and pastel. Charcoal embodies fragility – it wipes away easily, requires fixative to adhere to paper, and needs glass protection for display. This medium reflects my feelings about the future and the desire to preserve what’s delicate, to make the temporary more permanent.

Artist Bio

Keeley Rae is a portrait and figurative artist in the DC metro area. She is a copyist at the National Gallery of Art, and an instructor with The Art League and Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Keeley began her art career at 17 being commissioned to paint several murals around her home near Portland, Oregon. After graduating with her bachelor’s in fine arts, she worked as a studio and gallery assistant for Utah artist J. Kirk Richards. During a visit with family, who had relocated to Washington, DC she receive an offer to teach art classes. A short visit become a permanent move to the nation’s capital when she excepted the offer. She has since been involved in the DC art scene, showcasing at local galleries, teaching classes, and painting in museums. When not creating or teaching art, Keeley can be found biking the trails near her home, collecting national park passport stamps, or diving into a good book.