ABOUT THE ARTIST

Erin Keane is an artist working with photography, encaustic beeswax, and bookbinding. In photography, she explores the elasticity of light, and creates luminous paintings with photographic brushstrokes and layers of encaustic. In bookbinding, she explores innovative bindings and stitches, and designs encaustic book sculptures and journals to honor books as an art form.

Erin lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina, and works daily at her cozy home studio near Pisgah National Forest. She spends her leisure time hiking, canoeing, camping, creek stomping, sunset chasing, bonfire chilling, and star gazing. Her adventures in the mountains, lakes, and rivers become embedded personally into her imagery.

Erin Keane is a joy to know, learn from and work with. I have had several classes with her, bought several of her works and have always found her to be personable, organized and very willing to help everyone attain their successes from her classes. I’ve enjoyed and referred back to her instructions quite a bit and when I message her with a question, she’s always very responsive. She loves and supports her students and the community she works within. —LC

In addition to being a sensitive and inspired artist, Erin is one of the finest teachers I have ever studied with. Her attention to detail combines with an openness to experimentation that is a rare gift, both reflected in her art and generously shared with her students. As a teacher she is kind and supportive towards students of all ability levels. As an artist, her work is a reflection of a lovely and perceptive soul. —SA

Erin’s encaustic art is wonderful! I am an interior designer and I have specified her work on multiple projects with incredible results. I purchased a composition for my home too - the family and I absolutely love it - it’s beautiful and has become the focal point in our living area. It’s a source of happiness and respite. Erin’s journals are just as impressive - the craftsmanship and beauty of each piece is magnificent. Highly recommend! —JS

CAREER IN ARTS AND EDUCATION

2011-now Fine Artist, Arts Instructor, Sole Proprietor: Erin Keane Studio, Asheville NC

1999-2011 Art Teacher, National Board Certification: Brevard Middle School, Brevard NC

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

1998-1999 Master of Arts in Art Education, graduate assistantship: Miami University, Oxford OH

1994-1998 Bachelor of Science in Art Education, summa cum laude: Miami University, Oxford OH

SELECTED EVENTS AND ACCOLADES

2025 WNC Craft Futures Cohort Fellowship and Exhibition: Center for Craft, Asheville NC

2025 Asheville Strong, Celebrating Art After Helene: Asheville Art Museum, Asheville NC

2024 I Will Tell You Mine, Curated Works on Paper Show: Tyger Tyger Gallery, Asheville NC

2023 North Carolina Artists Invitational Winter Show: GreenHill Center for Art, Greensboro NC

2022 Acquisition into the Book Arts Special Collections: Bridwell Library at SMU, Dallas TX

2021 Keane’s Greens Encaustic Paints International Release: Enkaustikos Paints, Rochester NY

2020 Penland Gallery Commission for Arbor Investment Advisors: Penland Gallery, Penland NC

2019 Acquisition into Encaustic Permanent Collection: Museum of Encaustic Art, Santa Fe NM

SELECTED ARTS INSTRUCTION

2022 Painting With Fire, Encaustic Masterclass Online Workshops: Essence of Mulranny, Ireland

2021 Dos-A-Dos Journals, Weeklong Retreat: Lesley Riley Red Thread Retreat at Ghost Ranch NM

2019 Wax Paper Thread, Encaustic Monotype: Kathryn Bevier ArtWorks of Enkaustikos, Rochester NY

2018 Encaustic Books, Weeklong Retreat Class: Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg TN

2017 Encaustic Books and Journals, Weeklong Retreat Class: Penland School of Craft, Penland NC

2016 Beeswax & Bindings, Weeklong Retreat Class: John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown NC

2015 Beeswax Bound, EncaustiCamp w/ Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch: Dumas Bay Centre, Seattle WA

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