Shelby Keefe, Milwaukee, WI. Shelby Keefe is a contemporary impressionistic painter, teacher and performance artist. After earning her BFA at Cardinal Stritch University in 1981, she worked as a graphic designer for a variety of companies and eventually struck out on her own. During her career as a designer, she simultaneously exhibited her paintings gaining exposure as an emerging artist. Shelby has exhibited her artwork in dozens of invitational and juried shows, many times gaining recognition through awards and honors. Her urban landscape paintings have earned her participation in prestigious national art festivals as well as garnering commission work for a variety of corporate collectors around the nation. Shelby presently operates her own art studio and exhibition space in Milwaukee, having recently retired from graphic design. In 2006, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, CO selected Shelby to create the original artwork for their commemorative poster which won a bronze medal in a national contest. This salute comes on the heels of being honored as an Artist Award Winner at Milwaukee?s Lakefront Festival of the Arts in July of 2006. After 30 years, I still get the most pleasure out of painting architectural landscapes whether it be urban, rural or a small town setting. I use my own photographs as reference as well as painting from life ?en plein air?. I intend to put the viewer in the scene; transport them to the location and transform their mood through color, light and composition. My work is representational but the oils are freely applied; capturing reflections and unique light situations by allowing the paint to do the talking. I feel that a work of art has a lasting impression and a longer ?wall life? if the viewer?s imagination is required to fill in the details rather than spelling everything out in very careful detail.