Graham McKean was born in the North Ayrshire town of Irvine in 1962. After a period of time spent in the Govan shipyards in Glasgow, Graham started his art career as a graphic design artist. In 1995 made the move to become a full time professional artist and his art work proved immensely popular.
Graham McKean believes every painting and limited edition print should tell a story. His art works are personal expressions of the things in life that he feels are important. His starting point are the emotions of everyday life and every day people. Working out ideas in thumb-nail sketches, McKean creates a painted world displaying aspects of both the tragic and the comic. His limited edition prints comprise bold, bright colour and are instantly recognisable. They are art prints with an uplifting feel.
The human figure is the main inspiration in Graham Mckean's limited edition prints. From beach bathers to sailors and clowns, his limited edition prints communicate an air of intrigue and an element of the surreal which immediately engages the viewer. There is a curious magical quality about his art prints and paintings. Although at times humorous, the work is both serious and sincere. Fellow Scottish artist Peter Howsen, comments: “My admiration for Graham McKean’s art is on so many levels, but first and foremost is the simplicity and beauty of his imagination. He has managed to do a rare thing with his art by creating a style which is uniquely his and is instantly recognisable”.
Today Graham McKean is a highly popular and collectible artist. His paintings have been described by the art critic W. Gordon Smith as a cross between the painters John Byrne and Stanley Spencer. Credits include ‘Thriller’, Graham’s painting depicting the peak of Michael Jackson’s career, completed shortly after the star’s death. McKean was also commissioned by the Celtic Football Club to create a painting celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions and by the Scottish Opera to create a series of works for the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.
Graham McKean’s art work is included in numerous private and public art collections including Standard Life, RICS (Edinburgh) and William Grant and Sons Ltd. His original paintings have been exhibited at many leading British art galleries including Red Rag Gallery.
All Graham McKean signed limited edition prints from Red Rag Art Gallery have been reviewed by the artist. This guarantees that all prints offered by Red Rag satisfy the high quality and fine art standards set by Graham McKean for prints. Each limited edition print series from the Red Rag British Art Gallery is available for immediate delivery and can be shipped worldwide
