Title: Artist and Freelancer
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Maggie Keane, artist and freelancer, has been recognized by Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the visual arts.
Ms. Keane’s career in the visual arts spans nearly five decades, marked by his wealth of expertise in oil painting and pastels. Her journey began in high school when her talent for portraiture was first refined. She honed her skills by sketching musicians at her father’s symphonic band practices, which developed her spatial awareness and compositional abilities. Inspired by televised court sketches during the Son of Sam trial while living in New Jersey, Ms. Keane pursued formal education in painting and drawing at The University of Arizona, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1977.
Following her academic training, Ms. Keane embarked on a multifaceted professional path. Since 1978, she has excelled as a court sketch artist for television stations. Initially, her work was frequent due to restrictions on courtroom cameras; over time, as regulations changed in the 1980s allowing cameras in superior courts, her assignments shifted to high-profile federal cases. Today, she is called upon for select cases that attract significant media attention. Her freelance status enables her to respond flexibly to these unpredictable assignments, which can last several weeks each year.
As an artist and freelancer under her own name, Ms. Keane manages all aspects of her business operations. Her responsibilities include corresponding with mural clients, conducting site checks, arranging scaffolding and equipment, projecting and sketching designs and executing large-scale murals. Over the years, she has become further renowned for her mural work—most notably for a tribute mural to Prince in Phoenix that garnered international recognition. This project connected Ms. Keane with global Prince fan groups such as the Purple Paisleys and led to further opportunities including being flown to Atlanta for another Prince mural commission. These experiences opened doors for numerous black history mural commissions across Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Ms. Keane’s commitment to community art extends through collaborations with organizations like the Shining Light Foundation, where she contributes murals supporting black history initiatives in multiple cities. Additionally, she actively participates in online carousel restoration communities by providing guidance and answering restoration questions. Throughout her career, Ms. Keane has maintained her affiliation with organizations such as ArtLink, Women Artists in America and the Forensic Artists Group.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Keane spent six years as a circus assistant and performer with a circus company based in Queen Creek, Arizona. This unique experience not only enriched her artistic repertoire but also shaped her personal life; during this period, she met her future spouse. Her technical foundation was further solidified through work as a billboard painter and carousel restoration specialist.
Ms. Keane credits the practical skills gained from billboard painting as instrumental to her success as a muralist. She notes that this hands-on experience taught her more about the mechanics of painting than college coursework alone could provide. Ms. Keane’s excellence has been recognized through several prestigious accolades, including the Mayor’s Art Award from the City of Phoenix in 2019, the International Wrap Artist Award from Contra Vision Limited and multiple first-place honors at state fair painting competitions.
In addition to commissioned projects and public murals, Ms. Keane regularly donates original artwork for fundraising raffles benefiting charitable organizations. She has created portrait paintings for listener-supported local radio station fundraisers featuring iconic figures such as David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, and Prince. Her creative output also includes participation in themed gallery exhibitions at local venues specializing in unique shows throughout the year. Currently, one of her works is featured on a wooden panel shaped like a coffin for a Halloween-themed exhibition—a testament to her versatility and engagement with diverse artistic platforms.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Keane intends to devote more time to personal studio work rather than commissioned murals. Her primary goal is to develop a cohesive series of oil paintings suitable for gallery exhibition and ultimately achieve a solo art show featuring community-themed works—an accomplishment she continues to pursue after decades of professional achievement. Ms. Keane also aims to publish a book compiling nearly fifty years of historic Arizona court sketches.
For more information, please visit:
Instagram
Facebook
Contact Ms. Keane: