Keith Conner Art Gallery

A Lifetime Spent Painting

Keith David Conner grew up learning from his parents, CL and Eleanor, that he could become whatever he set his mind to. Instead of following many young people from his community into engineering work at General Motors, he chose art. In 1971 he was accepted into the Gifted Artist program at the Genesee Area Skill Center, and he went on to study at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

Conner is one of the fortunate artists who has made his living through painting alone. His work has been exhibited at Chicago's historic South Side Community Art Center, and in 2011 he received the Artist of the Year Award for Visual Arts from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago.

Sunday Morning, Walking by Faith and Still I Rise

Three series define Conner's work in our store. Sunday Morning honors the church mothers, first ladies and grandmothers who step out in color and ornate church crowns, a tradition that reaches back to the days when Black women set aside plain work clothes to wear their finery to worship. Walking by Faith brings scripture to life through biblical heroes like Moses and Daniel. Still I Rise pays tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou, including a tender portrait of President Barack Obama greeting her with a kiss.

Each design pairs Conner's painting with an uplifting verse or quotation, which is why so many of our customers buy one for themselves and another to give away.

Calendars, Mugs, Puzzles and More

Conner's art reaches us through African American Expressions, the largest Black owned greeting card company in America. Here you will find his annual wall calendars and two year pocket planners, 15 ounce ceramic mugs and travel tumblers, jigsaw puzzles such as The Hem of His Garment and Daniel in the Lion's Den, Christmas card box sets, compact mirrors, wallets and woven tote bags.

More to Explore

Pair Conner's calendars with others in our African American calendars and planners collection, find his Christmas designs among our African American Christmas cards, or browse more African American religious art and gifts. Puzzle lovers can explore our full line of African American jigsaw puzzles, and you can meet the rest of our artists on the Shop by Artist page.

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