'Something new and magical': Art demonstration Saturday with Keith Harrop

COEUR d’ALENE — The Art Spirit Gallery will host an artist demonstration with Keith Harrop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Harrop’s Anicurio collection is a look at animals featured in human attire and poses, and anthropomorphizes them into Victorian states.

Harrop’s Anicurio Collection

“Life can be so hard for us all sometimes,” Harrop said, in an Art Spirit Gallery press release. “I want to bring something new and magical to people. Bring back a sense of wonderment and possibilities.”

His medium is rooted in simplicity with pencil on paper. Harrop seeks to add depth, emulating the rigidity in Victorian photos juxtaposed with what’s hidden in the stoicism.

"I often begin by thinking about what type of animal I want to draw," Harrop said. "Then I look through old photos to suggest body type and clothing."

Then he will experiment with props, settings and composition. As a final step, he may age a piece to taste, literally. He bathes the work in tea, coffee, soy sauce or lemon juice before heating it carefully.

Harrop has displayed his work at The Art Spirit Gallery before with positive community feedback.

“When we ask clients ‘Did you find a favorite?’ while browsing the gallery, we are often met with a big smile and a response of one of Keith’s works,” said gallery associate Maia Keith. “People always find a connection to his works.”

Harrop is a native of England, but traveled to Santa Barbara, Calif., to find a community where creativity flourished. When he was a boy in England, he would self-publish comics on weekly deadlines to present to his brother, so art was always in his stars. He’s been an art director or creative director in a few corporations, but eventually landed in his permanent home in Coeur d’Alene.

The Art Spirit Gallery is located at 415 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene.