Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Kemp.
Andrea, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a fine artist who specializes in traditional oil painting. My start in fine art painting and drawing started when I was in high school. Like many who end up as an artist, I had a love for the arts as a kid. While still in high school in Glenwood Springs, CO I happened to meet two very accomplished painters Daniel Sprick and Dean Bowlby. I met them through classes I was taking at the local community college CMC. They both instructed the class. After the class wrapped up, I had the great fortune of painting with them quite a bit. They gave me an amazing foundation before graduating high school. After high school I attended the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and then finished my degree from the University of Utah. My real education began then. For me and for most artist it’s a long climb to position yourself in a place a stability and success. I spent 10 plus years studying under different artists, perfecting my craft, and finding my unique style. I eventually settled in Golden Co. I have been represented by various galleries around the country but have consistently been represented by Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek for the past 13 years. I am very fortunate to be represented by them.
Today, my life is a little busier with two young children. I try to keep a consistent schedule even if it is not as open as it used to be and I teach the Art Students League of Denver.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In some ways I have had so much good fortune. Having had great mentors as a young adult who could show me that having a career as an artist is possibly made me believe in my chosen path, however the path of an artist is never easy. One must have a thick skin to put themselves out there and to believe in their vision.
When I was younger, I had to learn save a lot for time when things would not seem as easily. I remember showing in my first higher profile gallery. The gallery owner tripled my prices and I thought he was crazy but he said to me these prices demand respect. How right he was. I sold all ten of my paintings within three months. I felt rich and in fact I went to Italy to travel and to study and paint. When I returned, I had all figure-based work to show verses the still life’s I had been show before I left. Nothing sold very a very long time. I spent all my money and was struggling to make more. Things eventually turned around but it took some time. That is the life of an artist. Your work can be very hot one minute and not so much the next.
Andrea Kemp Fine Art – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a fine art painter that primarily paints in oils and also works with charcoal and graphic. If I had to describe my work, I would say it is representational, realistic, and surreal times. My subject matter typically ranges from people to still life’s and sometimes landscapes. At times my work can be on the illustrative side because I think the stretch the ideas of reality a bit.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Probably my two solo shows. It’s take a lot of work and faith to put together a large show of 34-40 paintings. You are banking everything on that one show. So much money is invested and you just hope it pays off after the opening.
Pricing:
- My work ranges from 700$-9000$
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.andreakempart.com
- Phone: 303-525-4202
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @andreakempart
- Facebook: @andreatkempart
Image Credit:
1)Title: Tapestry, Medium: oil on board, Size: 17×8 inches 2) Title: Through the Woods, Medium: Oil on board, Size: 12×16 Inches
3)Title: Compliments, Medium: oil on board, Size 12×12 inches 4)Title: Vulnerable, Medium: Oil on canvas, Size 4×6 feet
Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
