Interview
Keith Runkle
Keith Runkle was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He received his BFA with a concentration in painting from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1986. Runkle has focused much of his artistic skill into the realm of graphic design in Pennsylvania and Arkansas for the past 30 years. As a result, he’s received a number of professional accolades as a designer on the local and regional scale, which included several American Advertising Awards (formerly known as Addys). He works in oil on linen and canvas utilizing a color palette that is bright and unusual. In what can be described as surrealistic, he uses objects in a symbolic way to capture stories related to his personal experiences and observations about the world around him. Runkle’s work can be seen at Boswell Mount Fine art located in the SOMA district of Little Rock. Please contact Kyle to set up an appointment. Keith Runkle lives and works in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“From a very early age, I began drawing and I just never stopped. My love of art eventually led to me obtaining a BFA in painting from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (now known as Pennsylvania Western University). For the past 40 years, I’ve focused much of my artistic skill into the realm of graphic design in Pennsylvania and Arkansas as my occupation. As a result, I’ve received a number of professional accolades as a designer on the local and regional scale, which included several American Advertising Awards (formerly known as Addys).”
What inspires you?
“Tension. I like when subject matter is addressing something difficult or causes a reaction — two colors fighting for attention; big versus small; life and death. I’m inspired by things that force me to think differently or see something extraordinary.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I like to pursue subject matter that’s happening right now and whatever issues people are talking about in the world. This can include matters close to the heart that divide people such as topics that are deeply personal or political in nature. My work often reflects struggles in ideology and culture.”
How would you describe your work?
“I work in oil on linen and canvas, utilizing a color palette that is bright and unusual. In what can be described as surrealistic, I use objects in a symbolic way to capture stories related to personal experiences and observations about the world around me.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Salvador Dali is largely responsible for me becoming a painter. I would say he has been my greatest influence. He had a weird way of looking at his world which inspired me to look at the world in MY own way. He was unapologetically strange. How can you not love that? In more recent years, there are a number of artists whose careers I follow and admire including pop surrealists Mark Ryden and Ron English. Graffiti artists KAWS, Shepard Fairey, and Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins are tremendous painters. I really love the whole lowbrow movement that came out of LA. I also love Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, and Yinka Shonibare. I could list so many more. There are so many great artists in this world!”
“The world has gone mad and I want to paint about it!”
What is your creative process like?
“My paintings begin with a thought. I’ll see tension in a topic or a situation that’s personal to me and then I decide it’s something I want to talk about. Most of my paintings feature a main character that represents an issue or topic related to something that’s taking place in the world today. Sometimes an idea related to subject matter comes in the shape of a title, or I see images that I think are interesting and I’ll dissect them and reimagine them to represent pieces of the issue. I often use symbols to dialog with the viewer. This process really isn’t a step 1, step 2, step 3, scenario. At this point, I begin arranging all of the pieces in my mind and transferring them to linen or canvas. I’ll grid some of it or just draw it directly on the canvas. Once the composition is roughly the way I want it, I paint grisaille in sepia tones or gray tones to establish a light source. Then I paint. And I paint until I’m satisfied that I’m ready to let go.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists provide a unique view of the world around them. Our voice is important. We see things that are often missed. We explore boundaries. We fail publicly so the world can see our mistakes and enjoy them for what they are. The world needs to be vulnerable, so we demonstrate creative ways to be just that. Sometimes, when words aren’t enough, we use our medium to say what we know can't be said in any other way. It’s a powerful thing.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve been privileged to show my work frequently in cooperation with a local Little Rock gallery. Boswell Mourot Fine Art is an established gallery that represents some of the best artists in the state of Arkansas and beyond. I had a show last year that I thought really captured the embodiment of my work so far. Around eight years ago, I was selected to show my work as part of Art Spectrum at Art Basel in Miami. Seeing your work hanging among the best artists of our time is really affirming as an artist. It was a truly significant moment for me.”
Website: www.runkleworld.com
Instagram: @runkle.world
