Kevin Francis Smith

kevinfrancissmithart.art

I was born in the wagon of a travelling show in Liverpool, England in 1960 into a working class family. Things were a little tight, but Papa did whatever he could; preached a little gospel, sold a couple bottles of Doctor good. I spent my childhood dodging school bullies(these were mainly the teachers), playing with my Action man, and drawing. I didn't go to art college and I regret that, but it just seems to have been something that has always eluded me. I did eventually end up as a self- employed freelance cartoonist and illustrator( aka, Kes ). I am entirely self taught apart from my A level. I have designed greetings cards for numerous card companies and my cartoons have appeared in journals worldwide. I have always continued to paint, although I do seem to be painting a lot more of late. My paintings are inspired by; Dreams, memories, News, booze and probably other artists on occasion. With my background in cartooning, I suppose I can't avoid injecting a little humour and cynicism into my work.

Infant school, junior school, senior school.

North East Liverpool Technical College. A level Art.

The Liverpool Tate Gallery; 'Funny Pictures'(1990s).
Cartoonists Northwest USA, Rochester Airport(sometime in the 1990s).
'Liverpool Capital of Culture' Home Bargains(2008)
'42nd Street' Liverpool Academy of Art(2009)
Some private gallery I can't remember, in North Yorkshire( about 2009 ).
'Liverpool Open Exhibition' Editions Gallery, Liverpool(2009).