By Denise Ortuno Neil
Oh, to live and work as an artist. It is a dream that many hold onto, but sometimes life gets in the way, shifting the artist away from their desire to do so. But for Keith Blum, he made his dream a reality, and is living the life of his dreams as a well renowned mural artist.
Blum is a California native, born and bred in Los Angeles 59 years ago. He started his career as an artist through a creative do it yourself home project. It was 30 years ago when he went full throttle with his painting venture. Although he was a hairstylist by trade at the time, he had always enjoyed painting and recalls once being told that, “You cannot make a living as an artist,” but he has more than proven that saying to be wrong.
He was remodeling his kitchen floor in the house that he shared with his then wife. The tiles were black and white checkered tile, and the kitchen space was rather small. He had the breakthrough idea to expand the size of the kitchen by painting a continuation of the tiles on the kitchen wall. His wife was ardently opposed, but Blum pressed on. After the project was completed, both he and his wife loved it. A year later, Blum left his previous vocation as a hairdresser and worked full time as a mural artist…he has never looked back.
The fashion of artistry that Blum creates is called Troupe l’ oeil. It is a French term that basically means “to fool the eye”. The style makes the paintings intended focus look real, it has a 3-D effect….an illusion.
He started by painting the walls of friends and family. His work gained recognition and over the years he has painted murals all across the country. He has painted his murals on everything from private homes to businesses. Mural sizes range from 20ft to 100ft and truly makes a wall come to life.
He attributes his inspiration for art to the greats, such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Van Gogh…all of the masters with a focus on the Italian Renaissance.
Blum moved to Palm Springs 10 years ago. He used to visit the Coachella Valley in his youth and always wanted to someday live here. He finally did.
He enjoys living in the Coachella Valley, reveling in its small town feel and scenic beauty, “I love the sunrise and the sunsets here, and the light traffic…in comparison to L.A.” said Blum.
It is in the Coachella Valley where Blum received what he considers to be one of his most defining moments in his career other than how he started all those years back in his kitchen. He was nominated the 2014 Artist of the Year by our own Coachella Valley Weekly, “It defined me as an artist in the eyes of the world,” said Blum.
Blum’s charitable work has always been part of his focus. He has been part of many charities in the past, donating his work to silent auctions to raise money for charities that deal with children. He enjoys working with kids, his goal is to “Inspire Creativity” to children. He has donated murals to a variety of organizations to help kids including, the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs and most recently the Dr. Carreon Jr. Academy in Indio.
Blum’s drive is his art. He lives his life with art all around him; painting, poetry, writing, and cooking. His hobbies are what he does for a living and in his life, his hobbies are what he does every day. He also loves riding motorcycles and watching classic films such as the Godfather, The Magnificent 7 and even Singing in the Rain, among other MGM Musicals.
Blum’s future goal is to have a reality show about him traveling the country donating his murals to venues that will inspire children’s creativity. The show will include his assistant Kelly Gilette Wood as his artistic co-host. The venues will focus on children hospitals and Boys and Girls Clubs, just to name a few.
Keith Blum’s artistic works and his life is a testament of many things. He is a tribute to what can come from believing that what you love to do can become your life’s work. He is what he has aspired to be, an “Inspiration of creativity”!
For more information about Keith Blum and to view his artwork, visit www.keithblum.com .
