Kevin McGillivray (b. 1990) is an artist and educator focused on observational drawing and painting through an active studio and life drawing practice. McGillivray works in portraiture, figure drawing, still life, and landscape, and often incorporates alternative hand-prepared surfaces and artist-made frames.
Kevin is the founder and organizer of Appleton Drawing Club, an independent drawing school and life drawing community, and teaches drawing through both private coaching and group workshops at Appleton Drawing Club, Richeson Gallery & School of Art, and the Trout Museum of Art.
Recently, his work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Little Known Art House (Appleton, WI), Cupola House (Egg Harbor, WI) and group exhibitions at galleries and museums including James May Gallery (Milwaukee, WI) and Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (Fond du Lac, WI).
Kevin's creative studio, Enchantment Supply, makes wondrous items to help fellow magic practitioners equip themselves for practicing the art of enchantment.
Kevin lives in Appleton, WI on the edge of a shady ravine with his wife, Alex, and their two cats, Chez and Boudica. ❦
Artist Statement
I make drawings of people going through moments of change and transition. I use handmade charcoal and surfaces with weight and texture like marble, slate, and hand-prepared paper to create a lasting image of fleeting moments. I’m curious about what happens when we take time to notice the aliveness that we can perceive but not see directly, that can be glimpsed in a subtle movement, an overlooked margin, or a rough surface. As I work from life, the person I’m drawing breathes, shifts, and actively moves, and I aim to record their presence over time rather than a fixed snapshot. I want you to feel encouraged to notice life in unexpected places.
Select CV
Solo Exhibitions
- 2026World Seed, Little Known Art House, Appleton, WI
- 2025Dryad, Cupola House, Egg Harbor, WI
- 2024Enchantment Supply Fall/Winter 2024, The Draw, Appleton, WI
- 2024The Cupola Tulips / Tell Us What You Think About Trees, Cupola House, Egg Harbor, WI
Group Exhibitions
- 2026Create! A Wisconsin Art Show, Richeson Gallery, Kimberly, WI
- 2026Home, Little Known Art House, Appleton, WI
- 2026Lake Effect, Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, Fond du Lac, WI
- 202563rd Annual Juried Exhibit, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, WI
- 2025Art of Water IX, James May Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
- 2024Stupid Cupid, 33PA, online
- 202378th Art Annual Juried Exhibition, Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, WI
Awards & Honors
- 2026Finalist, Richeson75 Figure & Portrait Competition
- 2025Meritorious Selection, Richeson75 Landscape Competition
- 2025Meritorious Selection, Richeson75 Small Works Competition
Professional Activities and Teaching Experience
- 2026Instructor, Figure Drawing Secrets & Tricks, Appleton Drawing Club, Appleton, WI
- 2026Instructor, Portrait Sketching, Appleton Drawing Club, Appleton, WI
- 2026Instructor, Gesture Drawing Fundamentals, Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI
- 2025Instructor, Gesture Drawing Fundamentals, Appleton Drawing Club, Appleton, WI
- 2025Instructor, Introduction to Life Drawing Workshops, Appleton Drawing Club, Appleton, WI
- 2025Instructor, Landscape & Floral Sketching, Appleton Drawing Club / Paine Art Center and Gardens, Oshkosh, WI
- 2025Instructor, Expressive Charcoal Drawing Fundamentals Workshop, Richeson Gallery & School of Art, Kimberly, WI
- 2024–OngoingOrganizer, Appleton Drawing Club, Appleton, WI
Publications
- 2027Art Just Happens: A Life Drawing Handbook (Upcoming)