Burgess, artists visit Town
Keith Burgess of Hiwassee, Georgia, was among more than two dozen visiting artists who traveled to Knoxville earlier this spring at the invitation of the Guild of the Knoxville Museum of Art’s annual Artists on Location event.
He and another selected artist, Thomas Bradshaw, both stayed at the historic Boyd Harvey House just outside Farragut during the week-long “plein air” or outdoor painting event, which offered the opportunity to paint live specifically chosen highlights of the area, including: Knoxville Botanical Gardens, Baxter Home and Gardens, Market Square Mall, the Old City, Five Thirty Lounge, Hyatt Rooftop, Seven Islands State Birding Park, Historic Westwood and Concord Park and Marina.
Burgess said he personally has participated in “six to eight “artist on location” events, but this was the first year to visit Knoxville’s.
He chose to paint at Lakeshore Park and worked on his piece for “5 to 6 hours” to get it just right, and said he was “channeling Monet. He’s my favorite artist.”
Burgess, who said he has painted seriously for about 30 years, was putting the finishing touches on the landscape, when he was interviewed at the Boyd Harvey House’s exterior stable.
“I have really enjoyed being here,” Burgess said of the historic home and bed and breakfast. “[Owner] Anne [White] has been so nice and hospitable.”
For her part, White said this was the first year she has hosted any of the Artists on Location.
“It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I’ve always envisioned an artist, setting up easels outside and painting in different areas on the property, but this was really the first time that vision has come to life since I’ve owned the house.
“I have art from both artists that will now hang inside the house.”
The artists’ works were exhibited during an art show and sale Saturday, April 22, at KMA, with proceeds benefitting the organization.
New England artist Don Demers was Plein air featured artist and event judge.
“The event was fantastic,” said Gail Van Hoozier, who serves on the board for the Guild and also is on the Artists on Location committee.
“The event this year was our 12th anniversary - we have patrons that have followed this event for years,” he added. “ On Saturday we saw record sales — proceeds from the sale go to both the artist and the Knoxville Museum of Art.”
