“Brian’s sculptures are majestic symphonies of form and storytelling that draw the observer into a world of frozen time”

— Morgan Weistling

PASSION AND PRECISION

Brian Keith is an accomplished American sculptor renowned for his mastery of bronze, crafting works that range from collectors’ fine art pieces to life-size and monumental public commissions. Based in California’s East Bay, Keith has built a distinguished career defined by a deep commitment to storytelling, faith, and the celebration of life. His artistic journey began at age seven, sparked by his grandmother’s teachings, and was later fueled by a four-year scholarship to San Francisco’s Academy of Art, won during high school. Choosing instead a small Christian college in Southern California, he studied Bible and art, merging spiritual and creative passions that continue to shape his work. Marrying his high school sweetheart and determined to support his family, Keith initially served as a deputy in Orange County Juvenile Hall’s Probation Department. He later became a youth pastor at his local church, ministering to youth alongside his wife, Lanisa. His artistic growth deepened under the transformative mentorship of master oil painter Morgan Weistling, who taught him the elements of fine art and brought him to a level of understanding that refined his craft. It was only after a few years of this mentorship that Brian’s artistic forte shifted toward three-dimensional clay sculpture, a multidimensional art form that perfectly matched his strengths, blending artistic vision and design with the physical craft of the artist’s hands, and providing him with a powerful new vocabulary to express his creativity.

Keith’s career took a defining turn when he was introduced to visionary developer Fred Bruning, whose extraordinary generosity and commissions provided the foundation for Keith to craft large-scale works for public spaces that helped set apart the locations as one-of-a-kind, with the sculptures’ stories offered as a gift to the community to enjoy and be touched by, bringing art beyond museum walls to enrich lives. Throughout the years, Fred’s ongoing commissions have helped develop Keith’s career, sustaining him with work, while Fred and his wife, Brandace, have made a massive impact on Keith and his family’s life through their unwavering support, providing not just opportunities but a profound personal encouragement that has inspired him. Recently, High Point University has propelled Keith’s career to new heights by commissioning impactful campus pieces, including the 20-foot Panther Fountain, the “Book and Flame” bronze embodying the motto Nil Sine Numine (Nothing Without Divine Will), multiple panther sculptures symbolizing strength and spirit, and “New Wings,” celebrating imagination. Currently, Keith is sculpting 17 seven-foot-tall athletic figures to line the path near the university’s new Arena, further enhancing its legacy through art that honors God’s glory.

Keith’s expertise shines in his meticulous attention to form and his seamless blend of classical techniques with contemporary expression. His bronze sculptures, marked by precise detailing and expressive narratives, span gallery-edition bronzes, portrait sculptures, and large-scale public monuments, all reflecting his mission to glorify God through beauty and story. His versatile portfolio includes notable commissions such as busts of President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, and “Swan Tales,” a whimsical installation of seven life-size bronze figures in Blackhawk, California. In 2013, his Idaho commission at the Village at Meridian, “New Wings” (a 1.5-times-life-size bronze), “Butterfly Swing,” and “Transformations” (a large book with pages morphing into butterflies), highlighted his knack for creating dynamic, site-specific art that engages communities. Another standout, “I Wonder,” a life-size bronze of a mastodon and young explorer in Tualatin, Oregon, evokes wonder and historical reflection, subtly nodding to the Creator’s hand.

Beyond these partnerships, Keith’s career has thrived through art calls he has won and the support of collectors and investors championing his vision. This backing has sustained his family and built a legacy of storytelling in bronze, reflecting Christ’s grace in every curve. Elected a Professional Sculptor to the National Sculpture Society in 2011, Keith continues to create works in public and private collections globally. Blending traditional bronze casting with modern flair, his sculptures radiate a timeless yet relevant energy, inspiring viewers with the joyful wonder of God’s creation. Keith resides in the East Bay with his wife, Lanisa, an award-winning Christian singer and songwriter, and their four children: Malia, Jordan, Teah, and Nathan.