Keith Parkinson

Keith Parkinson studied at University of Michigan and Kendall College of Art and Design. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is fantastic art. Employment is recorded with TSR and Sigil Games Online. Distinctions recorded are Chesley Award for Best Cover Illustration – Hardcover.

• Name — Keith Parkinson • Birth Name — Keith A. Parkinson • Born — 22 October 1958 • Birthplace — West Covina, California, U.S. • Died — 26 October 2005 • Place of death — San Diego, California, U.S. • Field — Fantasy art • Spouse — Donna • Resting Place — Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery

Keith Parkinson was born in West Covina, California. Because of his father's career at GMAC, Parkinson spent his childhood in various cities in the United States including San Diego, CA, New York, NY, Miami, Florida, and Lansing, Michigan. From an early age, Parkinson took an interest in science fiction, particularly in spaceships, and used his artistic abilities to explore his interest. However, by the age of twelve, he became more interested in music than art; in an interview he stated, "I got involved with a rock & roll band in high school, and played semi-professionally all the way through high school and into college. For several years, my band toured on weekends. We were into heavy metal and played stuff by Blue Öyster Cult, Rush, Led Zeppelin, and other heavy metal monster groups." At one gig, Parkinson met his future wife, Mary, who later became the Dragon Magazine Advertising Coordinator.

After a long battle with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), Keith Parkinson died on 26 October 2005. He was survived by his wife, Donna, and two sons. Parkinson was described by his friends and colleagues (and in the eulogy by Brad McQuaid) as having had a true passion for his work, as well as having a friendly and positive demeanor until his death. A small graveside funeral was held at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia led by Vicar David Smith of Faith Lutheran Church in Vista, California.

In his 2023 book Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, RPG historian Stu Horvath reviewed the role-playing game Rifts and commented, "[Rifts] should be a mess, but the art holds it all together. Keith Parkinson, an iconic '80s D&D mainstay, delivered many of the best covers for Rifts books, including the core rulebooks, and it is gratifying to see the game's weirdness fuel the artist's expansive vision. His cover for World Book 16: Federation of Magic (1997) exemplifies how Rifts pushed his art well beyond the fantasy standards of D&D.

In 2002, Parkinson was nominated for a Chesley Award from the ASFA, for Best Product Illustration, for his work on Shadows of Luclin. After his death, an art expo called "The Masters of Fantasy Art—A Tribute to Keith Parkinson" went on tour from February to July 2007. Laura Naviaux, Senior Brand Manager for Sony Online Entertainment, explained: "Our goal for 'The Masters of Fantasy Art' tour is to highlight the artistry that is integral to the creation of video games, as well as the influences of classical art on the industry as a whole. By showcasing Keith Parkinson's work on the new Vanguard: Saga of Heroes online videogame and joining up with The Art Institute, we hope to raise the public's awareness of computer and graphical arts as a discipline." In August and September 2008, Parkinson's alma mater Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University, honored him and his TSR contemporaries Larry Elmore and Jeff Easley with a gallery exhibit called "Out of the Dungeons". Director of Exhibitions Sarah Joseph stated, "We wanted to honor Parkinson [...] It seemed fitting to include Elmore and Easley, since all three of them worked together for a number of years." In 2014, Scott Taylor of Black Gate, named Keith Parkinson as #7 in a list of The Top 10 RPG Artists of the Past 40 Years, saying "He was never one that got Elmore or Easley props, but he had a style that he continued to evolve and hone until it turned from very, very good into simply outstanding. He was lost too soon to the industry and yet his legacy is something many artists have used to try to model their own careers."