Keith Walters was born in Oklahoma and grew up in New Mexico.
Attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, he graduated in
1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
A traditional job did not hold much interest for him, but a lifelong love
of all things Western did, so he bought a saddle and bedroll and headed
off to the buckaroo country of Elko, Nevada. He spent 10 years as a
horseback cowboy in Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico continuing to
practice his artwork along the way selling illustrations and articles to
various Western and historical magazines such as WESTERN
HORSEMAN, PERSMMON HILL, and NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE.
Eventually, Walters found his way into a job in the motion picture
industry which turned into a 33-year career as a property master. His
experience as a cowboy combined with his avid historical research has
put numerous Western and historical films on his resume including NO
COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, LINCOLN, TRUE GRIT, APPALOOSA,
CONAGHER, and NEWS OF THE WORLD.
Walters is a self-taught artist with no formal training though he’s
studied the works of many artists, foremost among them being C. M.
Russell, (of course), John Clymer, Joe Beeler, and Nick Eggenhoffer. He’s
shown his work in various shows including the George Phippen
Museum Art Show and Sale, Trappings of Texas, and The Cheyenne,
Wyoming Western Spirit Art Show and Sale.
Walters’ artwork is inspired by his work as a cowboy and by his
passionate study of the history and ethnohistory of the American West.
Each of his pieces is meticulously researched, which is an integral part
of the attraction he has for his work.
While sculpture is his favorite medium, he also paints and draws in
pencil, charcoal, and pen and ink.
Walters works from a studio in the home he owns with his wife, Robin,
in Miami, New Mexico.