“Barry Barnett Keith: An American Artist” will open with a reception at the FOTHA Gallery on October 2 at 4:30 pm and will run until December 18. Keith says this is his 26th solo show and his third at the FOTHA Gallery. Keith explains this show features a variety of 11 landscapes, and you will see the play of light.
He explains this show features new color choices and different perspectives of landscape painting he has never done before. “I think my painting while representational is a lot freer now than in the past, brush strokes are evident, colors are much bolder, more decisive in terms of contrast, yet still centering around light, perspective, distance. I love those things about landscape painting—opportunities to take liberties (adding or subtracting objects, colors) whether plein air or working from photos.”
Keith started sketching when he was in high school but he says sketching was always considered a precursor to painting which he began in 1979 at the University of Delaware. Keith moved from there to Suitland High School, which he says was a performing arts school, and where he taught for several years.
Keith liked Arlington and moved to the Arlington Arts Alliance and Gallery Underground where he stayed until it closed. He is currently associated with the FOTHA Gallery in Arlington.
Keith has recently been named Practicing Artist Educator of the Year for Prince George’s County Public Schools for successfully combining his maintenance of the school curriculum while at the same time working as a practicing artist keeping his annual exhibition schedule. He is now up for the same award for the state of Maryland. Currently he teaches at Mattaponi Elementary School in Upper Marlboro.
The FOTHA Gallery is located at 2206 S. Monroe Street in Arlington. The gallery is open 1-5 pm Wednesday-Sunday.