Meet Kathleen Keifer | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathleen Keifer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I never sat down and said, “I’m going to start a business.” I just knew I had to paint—and then I had to find a way to keep painting.i had a passion to create art. I followed the color, quite literally. Over time, that passion evolved into a career, and then a business. Art has always been my compass, but to keep that compass pointed toward freedom and creativity, I had to learn to navigate the practical side too—sales, logistics, marketing. It’s not just about painting a beautiful sunset—it’s about getting that sunset on someone’s wall where it can light up their life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always believed that color has the power to connect memory, emotion, and identity—and that belief has guided my work from the very beginning. My art blends realism and abstraction through overlapping colors and layered textures, often drawing from California landscapes, pop culture, and iconic American imagery. Whether it’s the Santa Monica Pier, a vintage surfboard, or the gleam of a golden dome at Notre Dame, my goal is to elevate the familiar into something transcendent and deeply personal.
What sets my work apart is that I paint from a place of joy—but I build with discipline. I’m not afraid of beauty, sentiment, or nostalgia. In fact, I chase those things. I want people to feel a sense of place and belonging when they see my work, whether it’s hanging in a gallery, a hotel, or someone’s home.
I didn’t get here overnight. When I had my first sold-out solo show in Malibu, I was also raising three daughters, married to a game inventor, and trying to figure out how to be both fully present at home and fully committed to my career. It wasn’t easy. There were late nights, early mornings, and moments of self-doubt—but I kept painting. That’s the lesson I’ve learned again and again: you keep showing up for your own vision. Let your work evolve. Let yourself evolve. And never forget that this is a privilege—to make art for a living.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about my story, it’s that art is not separate from life—it’s woven into it. My brand is about color, connection, and capturing moments that feel eternal. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or someone seeing my work for the first time, I hope you feel that spark—that flash of recognition that says, “I’ve been there. I’ve felt that.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to give them the ultimate Southern California experience—equal parts beachy, cultural, and inspiring.

We’d start with a South Bay day: biking along The Strand from Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach, soaking up the sun and the ocean breeze. We’d stop for lunch at The Strand House for the views (of the ocean and my artwork!) or an amazing dinner in Hermosa Beach at Bonaparte Bistro. In the afternoon, we’d pop into a few local shops, maybe grab a drink at Tower 12, and bike home just in time to watch the sunset light up the sky from the Manhattan Beach Pier. That golden hour is California at its best.

Midweek, I’d plan a Malibu day: a scenic drive up the coast with a stop at the Getty Villa—one of my favorite spots for its blend of architecture, art, and serenity. We’d have lunch overlooking the ocean at Malibu Farm or the Sunset Restaurant, then maybe dip our toes in the surf before heading back.

For an art-focused day, we’d visit LACMA and then wander through the La Brea Tar Pits or The Broad, depending on their vibe. If they’re a garden lover, the Huntington is an absolute must. The botanical collections alone feel like walking through a dream, and the art inside is just as inspiring. I’d also take them to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena—it’s a quieter gem with an incredible collection.

If they were history buffs or lovers of Americana, I’d carve out a day for the Reagan and Nixon Presidential Libraries. Both offer insight not just into politics, but into California’s role in shaping American culture. They’re deeply moving in very different ways.

We’d end the week with something slower: maybe a walk through Palos Verdes trails, a quiet evening at Terranea, or just a dinner party at my home filled with good wine, great conversation, and a few paintings in progress nearby.

To me, Southern California is more than just a place—it’s a sensory experience. It’s where light, color, history, and energy all collide. And I love sharing that with people I care about.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my youngest daughter, Claire Keifer. Not only does she help run my art business behind the scenes—handling everything from logistics to marketing—but she’s also a talented artist in her own right. We’ve spent countless hours painting together, and it’s been such a joy to see her artistic voice evolve. Watching her career take off has been one of the greatest rewards of my own.

She’ll be exhibiting at the Long Beach Museum of Art this September, and I couldn’t be prouder. Mentoring her and collaborating with her creatively has been a gift. She keeps my ideas fresh and my perspective current—it’s a beautiful exchange of energy between generations. I’ve taught her what I know about the art world, but she teaches me just as much in return about staying curious, adapting, and continuing to grow.

Website: http://kathleenkeifer.com/

Instagram: kathleenkeiferartist

Facebook: Kathleen Keifer

Image Credits
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