A Scottish Soul in the California Landscape William Keith, born in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1838, was an artist whose life became inextricably linked with the dramatic beauty of the American West. His story is one of migration, artistic evolution, and a deep spiritual connection to the natural world. The family’s move to New York City in 1850, following his father's death, marked the beginning of a new chapter, where young William initially trained as a wood engraver – a skill that honed his observational abilities and understanding of line and form. This apprenticeship with H…