Painting
Birmingham, AL
keiththomsonart.com
2026 mcac featured artist
The truth is, my goal is pretty simple: escapism.
I draw and paint in representational forms, often pairing the ordinary with the surreal. Elevators, bars, street corners—familiar places where an unexpected presence shifts the entire narrative. Humor and tension coexist in these moments, offering a way to see the world slightly off-kilter.
If this were a formal “Artist Statement,” I’d say that I aspire to summon portals of escapism, transforming blank walls into places where imagination takes hold. In practice, I’m happy if the painting’s an improvement over a blank wall.
Instagram: @kqthomson
Check out Keith Thomson’s Featured Artist announcement Blog post.
History of Magic City Art Connection Poster Artists & Graphic Designers:
- 2025, Dori DeCamillis, Birmingham, AL
- 2024, Bryce Speed, Tuscaloosa, AL
- 2023, Dirk Staschke, Portland, OR
- 2022, Chloe York, Birmingham, AL
- 2021, Garland Farwell, York, AL
- 2020, Ellie Ali, New York City, NY
- 2019, John Lytle Wilson, Birmingham, AL
- 2018, Lisa Krannichfeld, Little Rock, AR, Watercolor
- 2017, Celeste Amparo Pfau, Birmingham, AL, Printmaking
- 2016, Paul Kremer, Houston, TX, Painting
- 2015, Ramiro Gomez, Los Angeles, CA, Painting
- 2014, Chad Moore, Birmingham, AL, Photography
- 2013, Christopher Davis, Birmingham, AL, Painting, Sculpture, Drawing
- 2012, Jiha Moon, Atlanta, GA, Painting
- 2011, Matthew Chambers, Los Angeles, CA, Painting
- 2010, Dan Tague, New Orleans, LA, Mixed Media
- 2009, Skylar Fein, New Orleans, LA, Mixed Media
- 2008, Assume Vivid Astro Focus, New York City, NY, Digital Art
- 2007, Jess Marie Walker, Montevallo, AL, 2D Mixed Media
- 2006, Breane & John Trest, Birmingham, AL, 2D Mixed Media
- 2005, Jon Coffelt, New York City, NY, Mixed Media, Painting, Sculpture
- 2004, Tim Reed, Chattanooga, TN, Sculpture
- 2002, Weezie Thornton, Graphic Designer
- 2002, Bill Nelson, Birmingham, AL, Wood
- 2001, Dale Jarrett, Mission, KS, Drawing
- 2000, Fred McGann, Richmond, VA, Photography
- 1999, Bethanne B. Hill, Birmingham, AL, Painting
- 1998, Banister Pope, Boone, NC, Pastel
- 1997, Jim Burnett, Birmingham, AL, Painting
- 1996, Dori & Joe DeCamillis, Birmingham, AL, Painting
- 1995, Catherine Chew, Birmingham, AL, Painting
- 1994, Charles Collins
- 1993, Charles Collins, Illustration
- 1992, Tim Clark, Illustration
- 1991, Unknown…searching!
- 1990, Marcia Unger and Charles Collins collaboration, Mixed Media
- 1989, Alice Pederson, Illustration & design
- 1988, Mary Trechsel
- 1987, Francis Knueppel, Painting
- 1986, Sue Walther, Graphic Design
- 1985, Sue Walther, Graphic Design
- 1984, Sue Walther, Graphic Design
