As you enter the welcome center at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA, there is a small alcove-like space to one side that houses Keith’s incredible portrait of the California Alps. The inspiration for this portrait is not actually anywhere in Yosemite National Park, rather Keith romanticized the mountains of California in this painting. The portrait is located in an area where it catches the eye of anyone passing by.

Keith is a master at using different forms of light in his paintings and this is very evident in the light hitting the mountains. The light then fades into darker tones as it reaches the bottom of the forest, and finally reaches full brightness as it illuminates the grassy area in front of the painting. “The California Alps” also portrays Native American life as it would have been in their early years. It shows a small Indian village with teepees along a river. Keith had an eye for capturing the mountains of Yosemite National Park and in his painting “The California Alps” he brought this skill to fruition. As mentioned above, it is his use of light that draws viewers’ attention as they pass by this large painting. Somehow, Keith was able to perfectly get the right colors for the painting from him and skillfully apply them to create a remarkable work or art.

Just by looking at the masterpieces created by Keith, one can better appreciate the world around them. This is not just limited to nature, but also to the complexity of the human mind and the creative products it is capable of. Painting is a talent that not many people have, and most of those who do have the talent have never taken the time to develop it.