Kris Keys

Kris Keys is an interdisciplinary artist and fashion designer who captures her audience with swift, vibrant, and sultry strokes of watercolor paint. Her diasporic work tells stories through a mixture of historical context, fashion, and art. Kris’ journey began in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid 80s when her family found out about a genetic blood disorder through her abnormal blood smears. While receiving treatments for this illness at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Kris used watercolors as a method of relaxation. Years later Kris embarked upon a career in fashion illustration and textile design, creating watercolor art for brands such as NARS Cosmetics, The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo, Brown’s Hotel London, The Highline New York, and Kamalaya Wellness Spa Thailand to name a few. Following her career in illustration, Kris created a line of paintings and printed garments entitled Hematology to tell the story of blood disorders that unknowingly affects millions of people around the world.

Following this project, Kris embarked upon a journey tracing the roots of this blood disorder starting with a trip to Mississippi’s rural towns to capture her family’s story. It was then that she learned about the connection of flowers to her linea...

University of Tennessee at Martin, Bachelor of Science
American Intercontinental University, Fashion Design
London College of Fashion, Fashion Design and Technology

Hematology, 2018, Memphis, Tennessee
Come Roll My Hair, 2024, The Catskills Upstate New York