Meet Keith Conner of K.C. Graphics Design and KC Art

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Conner.

Keith was born and raised in Flint, Michigan where his dad “CL” & mom “Eleanor” taught him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Keith chose art over engineering for General Motors. As a youngster, he attended the Flint Institute of Art. In 1971 Keith was accepted into the Genesee Area Skill Center’s “Gifted Artist” program. After graduating both high school & the Skill Center, he attended the American Academy of Art, Chicago and graduated in1976 with a degree in Design & Illustration.

​Keith worked as a science illustrator for Denoyer-Gepprert Co. (Times Mirror) where he produced science charts & filmstrips for the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia. Also he free-lanced with World Book & Encyclopedia Britannica and worked on calendar projects for Miller Brewing Co. & Luster Products Inc. Keith created 28 Black History Illustrations that aired daily on WGN-TV as public service announcements during Black History Month “Black History Notes” for several years and later 28 more “Black History Moments” Illustrations for Central City-Chicago Tribune Productions that aired each day on WGN channel 9 for years during February narrated by TV stars Ted Lange, Blair Underwood, Lou Rawls, Roxie Roker, Holly Robinson Peete, Montell Williams, Sheri Belafonte, Nichelle Nichols & many others. Currently featured works for African American Expressions 2014 Calendar’s “Walking by Faith” & “Make Me Mold Me” also featured in “Sunday Morning” 2015, 2016 & 2017 calendars and greeting card publications.

His artwork has been exhibited in many Galleries and shows including Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, Dusable Museum of African American history, Black Ensemble Theater, Solo Show ETA Theater, Gallery D’Estee, Gallery Guichard, South Side Community Art Center, Gorgeous Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center, Nicole Gallery, Tall Grass of Park Forest & Ohare Airport. Most recently Essence Festival New Orleans, Washington DC & The Tom Joyner Foundation Cruise. His work can be found in collections of notables across the country.

• African American Arts Alliance of Chicago 2011 “Black Excellence” (Artist of the Year) Award for Visual Arts.
• First Place Winner of Dusalble Museum’s 2011 “Back to Our Roots” 37th annual Arts Festival.
• First Place 2013 Best Window Exhibit at Urban Partners Bank selected By The South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
• 2014 Vision Gallery of Christ Universal Temple: Curator
• 2016 Featured on The Tom Joyner Foundation Cruise to benefit Historical Black Colleges & Universities
• 2016 Art Basel Miami The Tom Joyner Foundation Griot’s Gallery
• 2017 Solo exhibition Black Ensemble Theater “The Josephine Baker story”

​ “I started Painting for my own personal enjoyment and to make a positive contribution to African Americans and to society as a whole by creating art that is inspirational & sensational. My art is designed to make you feel a sense of pride as it has historical and or cultural significance. I like to create art of people and images to inspire individuals that they can overcome obstacles to became successful against the odds.

I love art and have been an artist my whole life. I believe art has given culture to the world. I take great pride in being included in the process of telling humanities story and progress in a positive way using color & imagination.”

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?
I have had obstacles being an African American many have doubted my abilities. I have always tried to learn as much as possible about clients and their needs to insure success.

I have worked harder to deliver well beyond expectations to dispel concerns and secure trust for future projects.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about K.C. Graphics Design and KC Art – what should we know?
I have over 25 years of experience in digital graphic design in a marketing and advertising environment. Helping many companies make money both domestically & internationally using my artistic talents.

• I have worked with various levels of personnel Including department marketing directors, brand managers also advertising directors.

• I am a computer graphics expert & veteran who specializes in digital design on both MAC and PC.

• I have an advanced, hands-on working knowledge of several software packages from very early adobe products to present CS6 Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Freehand MX, PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint & Web programs.

• Creative Direction & Design through completion

• For Packaging, Ads, Brochures, Point of Purchase, Illustration, Identity, signage, & Web Design.

• Creating & constructing comprehensive samples for all to meet FDA & European standards as well as multilingual standards for domestic and international brands.

• Digital Imaging & Retouching of all types of images.

• Also Selecting, hiring and supervising of photographers, Models, Stylist additional artist.

• Print purchasing & on site large run press checks for packaging, brochures, posters where I made sure color clarity was accurate.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Determination and hard work. Also, a strong spiritual belief that I will overcome all obstacles!

Contact Info:

• Address: 1442 South State Street,
  Chicago, Illinois 60605-2536
• Website: www.kcgraphicsdesign.com | www.kcart1.com
• Phone: 312 341-3468
• Email: kcart@aol.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_david_conner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.conner.963
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/artwithkc

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.