Local visual artist Khay (far left) is joined by his business agent and mother Glinda Loving, brother Robina Johnson and nephew Clauconvie Johnson at Celebrations during the Gallery debut. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)
Khay, Visual Artist and his sponsors, patrons, supporters and visitors kicked-off his spring season on April 5, 2013 with a Gallery Night displaying his “Jazz Series”.
His art pieces were created exclusively for “Celebrations Banquet Hall and Lounge’s VIP Room” located at 4740 W. Bradley in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
Khay’s visual interpretation of musical artists, Gil Scott-Heron, Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Isaac Hayes not only gives viewers an appreciative reminder of each of these musical greats but also through the dexterity of his brush and the strength of his own spirit, suggests a unique glimpse of each musicians’ spirit and life experience.
Many visual artists can draw a facial resemblance, fewer are able to capture some part of the spirit and soul of an individual and transfer it to canvas.
Khay seems to have this gift.
It is no wonder that his sponsors, patrons and supporters are enthusiastic about this up-and-coming talent.
One of his most enthusiastic patrons and Board Member of the Wells Williams Hampton Family Core, Inc. traveled from Seattle, Washington to support Khay’s Gallery Night.
Khay has been expressing himself through art since grade school. Khay’s artwork, while growing up, was always showcased on the walls of his parents and relatives homes, alongside other paintings and pictures. His early drawings were mostly of comic book characters.
Realizing that he had a gift for visual representation, his mother and Business Manager encouraged him to attend Milwaukee High School of the Arts to receive formal education and training.
Attending high school in the late 80’s brought artistic influences marked by the onset of the hip-hop era.
While Khay did a lot of pencil drawings, he like most young artist at the time, dabbled with “graffiti” styled art. Using markers, spray paint, or acrylic, he created intricate styled signatures and word art in his sketch book as well as designing his first “paid” company logo at 13 years old.
After graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a degree in Commercial Arts, Khay decided that he would remain open to many aspects of art and design. While working full time for a graphic and printing company, he also began work to start his own design company, “Graphics by Gripp”. Khay ‘s experience as a freelance artist spans from painting commissioned fine art pieces, portraits for individual clients and providing print media services for small businesses. He also has designed statues, logos and building signage. One of his pieces, the More Things Change…” acrylic on canvas was part of a curated exhibit in the Milwaukee International Arts Festival.
With a raw illustrative style that reveals spiritual, cultural and personal influences, Khay draws upon many things for his subject matter. “I get my inspiration from conversations, books, nature, people and life in general.” Currently, Khay doesn’t have a particular medium that he prefers over the other. Instead he chooses to let the piece dictate the medium. He has a diverse collection of original pieces in acrylic, charcoal, watercolor, oil, tempera and mixed media. All of which bring his emotion and passion to the surface while leaving the final interpretation to the imagination of the observer. Khay gratefully thanks his sponsors, patrons, supporters and visitors for the success of this Gallery Night.
Sponsors:
Aunt Bettye’s Heavenly Brownies, Celebrations, Inner City Redevelopment Corporation and Wells Williams Hampton Family Core, Inc.
Patrons:
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Adey, Dousman, WI
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allison, Milwaukee, WI
Mr. & Mrs. James Barnett, Kent, WA
Ms. JoAlice Bender, Milwaukee, WI
Ms. Pinkey Buford, Milwaukee, WI
Ms. Christine Culligan, Port Washington, WI
Mr. & Mrs. James Franklin, Los Angeles, CA
Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Hampton, Kent, WA
Mr. Dwight Hampton, Kent, WA
Mr. Owen Hampton, Detroit, MI
Mr. Jerrell Jones, Milwaukee, WI
Mrs. Cherry Perkins, Milwaukee, WI
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel McCargo, Detroit, MI
Ms. Islamah Rashid, Kent, WA
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Simpson, Milwaukee, WI
Mr. J. Allen Stokes, Milwaukee, WI
Ms. Deborah Trapp, Detroit, MI
Mr. Elvin Walker, Roy, WA
Khay, Celebrations’ Resident Visual Artist, will have his Jazz Series on continuous display in its VIP Room. The original pieces and prints for this jazz series are available for purchase. Additional musical artists will also be added over time.
For more information on this Jazz Series, request for individual portraits, commissioned fine art or design of commercial art contact: Glinda Loving 414-962-5004.