About the Artist
Jim Kiefer was born in Louisville, KY in 1954. AS a young boy, he admired
his mother's abilities and talent as a portrait artist in oil. Too young to
"mess around in oils", he would draw with pencils and crayons. He would draw
on just about anything, walls, furniture, and even pin-striped the neighbor's swing
set without their permission. Got grounded for that one.
In high school, he was introduced to acrylic paints in art class. His love
of airplanes and even a short period of flying lessons, led him to painting pictures
of aircrafts, mostly from pictures taken at the local airport and air shows.
After high school, he served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. While in the military,
he was commissioned to paint murals of squadron logos at K.I. Sawyer A.F.B. in Michigan,
George A.F.B. in Southern California, and Udorn Royal Thai A.F.B. in Thailand.
He also enjoyed drawing charicatures of his buddies for their entertainment as well
as his, usually after quite a few beers.
After getting married in 1981, he returned to school where he earned a degree in
computer science and began a career in Information Technology. It was at this
time he discontinued drawing except for an occassional piece about once a year,
including portraits of his son, Kirk, and his daughter, Jordan.
Now divorced and living in Fort Wayne, IN, he as returned to his real passion, drawing.
He states his biggest source of inspiration comes from within but credits the
ArtPapa Forum
on the web, for pushing him to the next level.