Born March 11, 1954 in Englewood Florida, Keith a fourth generation Floridian, has painted the state professionally for 27 years with nearly 300 painting titles and has published over 100 images into limited edition fine art prints. Numerous private and corporate collectors enjoy this artist's work by displaying them in such places as the University of Tampa, St. Luke's Eyes Institute, St. Petersburg College, Judges Chambers, a variety of homes, hospitals and corporate offices. After graduating from Trinity College of Florida with a BA degree in Biblical studies, Mr. Johns was on staff at a local church as the Director of Missions which brought a new awakening of international cultural studies to his soul. His travels took him to remote villages in Africa, India, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and South America. This has helped him further appreciate his own culture.
As a celebrated artist, his works have been featured in such magazines as; Tampa Bay Magazine (cover), Oct/Nov 2006 and Jan/Feb 2008, Florida Wildlife May/June 2005, Art & Antiques Around Florida (cover), Winter/Spring 2006, Hillsborough County Bar Association (cover) 2002/2003. After spirited outdoor adventures, local newspapers featured stories about this Florida artist and his wife, Linda. Awarded for his artistic abilities, Keith accumulated multiple levels of achievements and ribbons during 20 years of traveling the state of Florida in outdoor art show venues. He also judged art competitions at art shows and public schools. Today this collectable artist showcases his work strictly in galleries, museums and private showings, but can be reached at his studio/home in Holiday, Florida.
Freelance credits include: Art & Antiques Around Florida, Summer/Fall 1996. Speaker: Rotary International, various art groups and testimonials on educational video presentations. Mr. Johns has owned, operated and has been involved with art related establishments including: Antique Gallery, Florida Wildlife Art Gallery, Florida Heritage Art Gallery, Picture Frame & Design Center, and Keith Martin Johns School of Fine Painting. He was on staff as the visual art director for the Integrity School of Sacred Arts. Member: Plein Air Florida, Florida Outdoor Writers Association, and Florida Cracker Trail Association.
Keith's heart desire is to help preserve Florida's natural beauty and heritage through the visual arts. With an eye on Florida's present ever-expanding development and on it's past history and heritage, Keith plans for various painting journalistic projects which are now in the works such as; Painting on the Florida Trails, From Gill nets
to Fly Fishing, Cracker Cowboys and Cows and Romancing the Rivers of Florida. Keith is currently mentoring younger professional artist in order to pass on this passion to another emerging generation.
