About Keith Townshend



Keith Townshend

 Keith Townshend was born in Picton, in New Zealand's Marlborough region, in 1948. He spent his youth in Blenheim N.Z. He started painting in oils at the age of thirteen. During these early years of painting Keith was fortunate to be taken under the wings of three local artists who recognized his talent and tutored and guided him.

Keith moved to Napier in the Hawkes Bay region in the early '60s. He entered the printing trade as a Hand Typographer. Though still continuing to paint with oils, he began to work more and more with acrylics, watercolour and gouache.

He moved to Auckland in the late sixties and began working as a commercial artist after studying art and commercial art at Elam and the Auckland Institute of Technology.

During the eighties he became very involved with Computer Graphics but his love of painting continued. He received many commissions for his watercolours and acrylic work. With an eye for detail, he received many requests for native bird, insect and flora studies.

Now in his fifties, Keith concentrates very much on oil painting. His love of the sea is reflected in his prolific and enthusiastic approach to seascapes, but he is just as happy painting still life, figures, and portraits.

His impressionist style is quite unique and reflects his passion for action, reflection and colour. Keith’s style and approach to his painting is largely due to his love and studies of the great master, John Constable.

External Links: Marlborough region, Hawkes Bay region, Auckland