2002: RECENT TRAVELS
On August 2002, the artist traveled to the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria as part of an eight-week artist residency program sponsored by The Orpheus Foundation and the Griffis Art Center in New London. Upon completion of the residency, he was honored with an exhibition of the drawings completed during the residency at the Bulgarian National Palace of Culture where a State Dinner was held in his honor following the opening reception.

August 2002 – December 2003:
ABOUT THE CURRENT BODY OF WORK, IN PROGRESS
My conceptual vision in this current work is to create a comprehensive body that represents a physical, cultural, creative and philosophical journey that draws upon my visual experiments as well as literary and philosophical influences of peoples, natural environment and mystical culture of the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria.
--- Journal, November 12, 2002

My aim is to integrate the materials from the initial conception on through completion. Continued experimentation is the focal point, permitting the materials to be the guiding impetus for any given piece. I aim to create works by means of mixed media, whereas recycled junk and found objects add a sculptural quality to the two dimensional painting surface.
--- Journal, February 1, 2002

Interactions with host, Poet Laureate Lyubomir Levchev as well as his immediate literary and social circles have greatly influenced my impressions of Bulgaria. I am intrigued by the possibility of integrating the written word into the work as a thematic and/or narrative component in relating the influences of the man of letters who was my host and to the country, which places great importance on the art and craft of writing.
--- Journal, February 18, 2002

COURSES

June - July 2003:
FIGURE DRAWING INTENSIVE
June through July 2003 McKee will be conducting his Summer intensive figure drawing courses in his newly expanded studio at the Velvet Mill in Stonington, CT. Class explores the expressive potential of the human form through the drawing medium. Participants will draw from live models.

August 2003:
DRAWING MARATHON
On August 9, 2003, McKee Studio will hold its first figure-drawing marathon. This is a (12) hour drawing session with multiple models where professional, intermediate and beginning artists will have the opportunity to work side by side. Following the marathon there will be an exhibition of drawings done by participants.

September 2003:
LYME ACADEMY COLLEGE OF FINE ART
McKee will be teaching Saturday courses in beginning and intermediate painting at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in the fall 2003 semester.

EXHIBITIONS

November 2003:
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, ALEXEY VON SCHLIPPE
GALLERY OF ART
There will be an exhibition of McKee’s newest work at the AvS Gallery from November 14 – December 21, 2003 with an opening reception on November 14.