Keith was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri.  He spent most weekends and summers of his youth on a family farm in Freeburg, a small, rural, mid-Missouri town of German heritage. His parents and most of his large family were raised on farms. Most of his time was spent on German verbs: gardening, stacking, chopping, cutting, feeding, hauling, skinning, etc.  Every form of entertainment beyond playing cards and crayons was hand made. That past provided perserverance, diligence, creativity, and competition, which is about 80% of what you need to be an artist.  Back then you couldn't load a CD for entertainment, rather you started with raw material - a stick or a corn cob. 

His mother is likely the reason he is today a painter. She recognized at an early age that he and his twin brother loved art. Besides drawing hundreds of rabbits for them to color, she got them started in painting with paint-by-number sets.  That was too easy, but it did introduce the possibilities of paints and a paintbrush.  His first oil painting was of a Blue Jay, because the left-over paint from the paint-by-number set was of a Black and Cream panda with a blue background.  So he found something to create from that blue paint.

His life and art would be totally different if did not have a twin brother.  Most people think that being a twin is to create havoc from the likeness. On the contrary, it is used to avoid problems. Anything his brother did wrong did not need to be tested or repeated, and anything valuable meant that with Keith it was also possible. That definitely applies to the development of the craft of painting. They learn from each others mistakes and are a constant coach for each other, which elevates both of their art. It is extremely valuable to have an expert unbiased opinion. Also, if it weren't for Kevin I would not have a website.

The first attempts at painting were quite successful, despite no training.  Keith's mom never painted, but she was very encouraging and was always positive.  If you asked her what was wrong, she could pinpoint it. She had the eye and talent but not the motivation to paint. Through grade school and high school, Keith would excel at Art. He sold doodles for lunch money. His Senior Art Class final assignment was the only one stolen from the walls and never found.   

In college, he graduated with a BS Mechanical Engineering from University of Missouri Rolla and then later a Masters of Science in Mechnical Engineering from State University of NY - Binghamton. He did a few paintings during college. However, once he finished college, got married and bought his first permanent residence in 1987 he started painting again. Painting was stalled again after the birth of four children, Liam and Taryn in 1991 and 1993, and Madison and Luke in 2003.  However, Keith has been painting consistently for ten years now and especially the last two years as he has more time.  Painting is not optional for Keith.