A Lifetime of Mastery in Every Portrait
As a Master Portrait Artist who has spent five decades pursuing mastery across a dozen disciplines, Kevin G. Saunders believes a story of conviction is best told with evidence. While most ‘About’ pages begin with a summary, this one begins with the proof. The detailed history that follows is the story of the relentless innovation, competition, and perseverance that forged the artist, the innovator, and the system behind every KGS Studios masterwork.
THE ARTIST | THE PARTNER IN PRECISION | A DETAILED HISTORY
The Artist
A Synthesis of Mastery
His career, spanning five decades, is an extraordinary synthesis of diverse experiences—from Olympic sailing to industrial innovation. This journey gives him an unparalleled understanding of form, character, and light, distinguishing him not merely as a technician, but as a visionary who fuses precision with emotive depth.
The Art of Hyperrealism
Before dedicating himself to portraiture in 2014, Saunders distinguished himself with grand-scale architectural cityscapes and his acclaimed Orchid Collection. He blends analog tradition with digital innovation, establishing a unique niche that elevates hyperrealism beyond traditional boundaries.
A Singular Vision
At KGS Studios, Saunders employs a sophisticated mastery of hyperrealism to encapsulate the essence of his subjects. His process offers a perspective that neither photographers nor painters can replicate alone, rendering each work a museum-grade testament to an individual story.
A core tenet of Saunders’ philosophy is that a portrait’s most profound work is done long before it becomes an heirloom. For the subject, it serves as what he calls an ‘Aspirational Mirror.’ He has observed firsthand how living with a masterwork rendering of oneself subtly, yet powerfully, reinforces a commitment to one’s own highest standards. It becomes a daily, silent conversation with the person one is committed to being.
Limited Edition Collections
Beyond bespoke portraits, Saunders creates limited-edition fine art collections that stand as investments in culture and beauty. These works bridge past mastery with modern innovation, crafted for collectors who recognize the depth of his groundbreaking approach.
Defining a Global Legacy
Saunders’ rich tapestry of achievement underpins his commitment to creating art that resonates across generations. Whether for San Antonio patrons or international connoisseurs, KGS Studios delivers a legacy of personal and universal significance, distinguishing him as a singular artist in the contemporary landscape.
This history of innovation—from pioneering FAA-certified systems to developing a new paradigm for bespoke client work—has culminated in his latest endeavor: the KGS Business System. This proprietary methodology codifies five decades of multi-disciplinary problem-solving, creating an operational framework that allows other expert solopreneurs to scale their unique genius.
Kevin G Saunders: Portraiture as a Lifelong Calling
In 2½ minutes, Kevin shares why portraiture defines his 45-year craft—capturing your story with timeless purpose.
The Partner in Precision
A Legacy of Care
Toni C. Saunders brings a distinguished legacy to KGS Studios, rooted in a 45-year career as a registered nurse (BSN, RN). Her extensive tenure in healthcare has endowed her with a profound commitment to precision and empathy—qualities that are cornerstones of the studio’s mission.
A Partner in Precision
Her background in healthcare and management informs Toni’s critical role alongside her husband, Kevin G. Saunders. She ensures meticulous attention to detail in every session, overseeing the fine elements that define the studio’s exceptional quality.
A Seamless Collaboration
Together, Toni and Kevin forge a sanctuary where technical mastery meets heartfelt connection. Her oversight of studio operations ensures a seamless, professional experience, allowing for the creation of transformative portraits that reflect the dignity of their subjects. At KGS Studios, Toni helps craft legacies that affirm clients’ stories with grace and elegance.
A Detailed History
From Vision to Legacy: A Life in Art
Kevin G Saunders’ Detailed History
The Dawn of Perception
Kevin G Saunders’ journey commenced in the late 1960s in Amarillo, Texas, under the guidance of his father, a gifted amateur photographer. With a Leica M2 rangefinder camera and a home darkroom, his father introduced Kevin, at the age of 10, to the discipline of observing light—its subtleties and its capacity to illuminate a subject.
He honed his perception by estimating shutter speeds and apertures, laying the groundwork for a lifelong visual acuity. In 1968, a family excursion to San Antonio for Hemisfair ended in misfortune: afflicted with influenza at 12, Kevin inadvertently left the camera aboard the airplane; he returned to retrieve it only to discover it had been stolen. This poignant loss instilled an early appreciation for safeguarding what is precious—a principle that now guides his meticulous preservation of each client’s legacy.
Lessons in Tenacity
In his teenage years, a remarkable capacity for diligence and independence defined Kevin’s early endeavors. At 15, in 1971, his father sought to enhance his business with offset printing, prompting him to apprentice at a local Amarillo print shop. There, Kevin meticulously restored an aging AB Dick offset printer, mastering its operation without supervision and commuting by bus, as he was not yet licensed to drive. Earlier, he had managed a paper route, adapting his bicycle to carry the burden, and at 16, Kevin engaged in the arduous task of washing 18-wheelers by hand and unloading boxcars filled with truck tires. These solitary, demanding efforts forged a steadfast resolve and a keen attention to detail—attributes he now employs to ensure the excellence of his artistic creations.
The Road as Teacher
Formal schooling held limited appeal for Kevin when he withdrew from high school in his late teens, opting instead for the rigorous education of the open road as an 18-wheeler driver. Across 48 states, Kevin encountered a diverse array of individuals—from a Nebraska farmer to a dock worker in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, to warehouse laborers in Seattle and Florida—learning to meet strangers and assess their character swiftly; he discerned both their differences and shared humanity. He developed the ability to manage costly equipment, resolve issues as they arose, and clearly report outcomes to his superiors. These experiences, more formative than any classroom, cultivated resilience and adaptability that remain integral to Kevin’s craft.
A Pursuit of Champions
Rather than continue in his family insurance agency—a legacy founded by his grandfather and advanced by his dad through a pioneering computerized enterprise—Kevin charted an independent course. After a brief and discordant stint in the agency’s Dallas office, he departed to pursue bicycle racing. Residing in Dallas, Kevin trained 700 miles per week, competing in regional races; he earned a place at the 1985 National Track Championships in Indianapolis, where he performed admirably among seasoned cyclists.
This rigorous endeavor revealed the hallmarks of champions—discipline, timing, and perseverance—insights he would later apply across his multifaceted career, including the meticulous artistry he offers his clients.
Sailing Toward New Horizons
Relocating to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1986, Kevin initially sustained himself as a bike racer/table waiter before discovering the world of competitive sailing. By 1989, he had abandoned a prosperous yet unfulfilling career in bond sales—having secured Series 7 and 3 licenses—to concentrate on Finn Olympic Class sailboat racing. Raising as much as $70,000 annually to finance this ambition, Kevin competed across the United States and internationally, including Australia and New Zealand.
He achieved a national ranking of 11th by 1991. This endeavor, rooted in his recognition of competitive excellence, laid the groundwork for his subsequent achievements in innovation and artistry.
Innovation Under Pressure
In 1991, a formidable challenge thwarted Kevin’s aspirations for the Olympic Trials in Finn sailing: Bill Clinton’s burgeoning Presidential campaign, launched that year, monopolized fundraising efforts in Arkansas, outpacing his resources as a Texan living in another state. This crucial lesson in strategic adaptation—a testament to Kevin’s unyielding resolve—compelled him to withdraw and establish Aero Innovations, a company dedicated to designing air ambulance conversions for regional aircraft, then VIP aircraft components.
He engineered and secured Federal Aviation Administration certification for a pioneering manufacturing and quality control system—the first of its kind globally to leverage outsourcing—demonstrating exceptional ingenuity. In 1999, Kevin sold his stock to the manufacturing director, who, with over 50% ownership, reclassified Aero Innovations as a Woman Owned Business; he then assumed the role of chief industrial designer in San Antonio until its closure in 2001.
A Harmony of Discipline
By 1996, the enterprise’s demands grew intense. Kevin resumed playing the trombone, an instrument he had mastered in school; a distinguished instructor offered lessons without fee, contingent upon 20 hours of weekly practice, a discipline he embraced to counterbalance professional strain. His musical pursuit with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra—where Kevin had earned the position of second trombonist by 1998—culminated in a permanent role. Yet, he was compelled to relinquish it as his company faltered, a sacrifice born of necessity. This period of musical engagement refined his perception of rhythm and harmony—skills that would later enhance his artistic precision
Endurance Through Setback
The closure of Aero Innovations in 2001, precipitated by unreliable partnerships, marked a significant setback for Kevin. Undeterred, Kevin sustained his engagement with music in San Antonio, contributing to municipal ensembles; he led the Brassavola trombone quartet, some of whose recordings remain accessible today. This period of adversity underscored his capacity to endure and adapt—qualities that would prove instrumental in Kevin’s subsequent achievements and the enduring excellence he imparts to his work.
A Craft of Versatility
Following the dissolution of Aero Innovations, Kevin established an industrial design consultancy, distinguishing himself as the first SolidWorks 3D CAD professional in Texas outside technology firms. His projects encompassed a broad spectrum—from elegant stove hoods to advanced medical equipment, including a redesigned orchestral trombone—demonstrating a versatility refined by prior challenges, each skill a cornerstone of Kevin’s artistry unmatched in today’s art landscape.
Redefining High-End
By 2004, as outsourcing diminished opportunities in this field, he founded KGS Custom Bicycles, swiftly earning international acclaim as a preeminent custom bicycle designer recognized by global design peers. Photography, a skill dormant since his youth, re-emerged as Kevin captured his bicycles in high resolution; he mastered the interplay of light and contour, extending this proficiency to athletes—runners, cyclists, triathletes—whose dynamic portraits, numbering in the thousands, showcased his ability to encapsulate vitality and character.
The Rise of Hyperrealism
Transforming KGS Custom Bicycles into KGS Studios in 2007, Kevin established it as his central endeavor by 2012—a sanctuary where his extensive experiences coalesced. Before formally dedicating himself to portraiture in 2014, he elevated hyperrealism to a grand scale through architectural cityscapes and his celebrated Orchid Collection, establishing a distinctive niche within contemporary art and merging technical virtuosity with the emotive resonance of classical light, a fusion rare in an age of digital ephemera. His work with Aero Innovations had not only produced FAA-certified aircraft components but also a groundbreaking manufacturing and quality control system, a testament to Kevin’s innovative legacy. He had immersed himself in pursuits—printing, transportation, competitive sports, music, industrial design, photography—that others might dedicate lifetimes to mastering, often confronting formidable setbacks like Aero’s collapse; he emerged with profound insight. Successes, such as his global recognition in bicycle design, stood alongside these trials. These experiences—of perseverance, precision, and perception—inform Kevin’s use of a 150-megapixel camera and classical lighting techniques, crafting works that transcend mere representation to offer a timeless testament to their cultural essence.
A Legacy Forged in Time
Offering his clients—who seek a timeless testament—a mastery distilled through decades of dedication, adversity, and resolve forged through trials, Kevin stands as a testament to perseverance. His journey reflects an unwavering commitment: to perceive as his father instructed, to innovate as competition demanded, and to create as each challenge required. He has elevated hyperrealism through grand-scale cityscapes, intricate orchids, and, since 2014, museum-grade works spanning portraits and collections, achievements that stand as evidence of Kevin’s odyssey. When clients enter KGS Studios, they encounter an artist whose life has equipped him to craft a likeness—whether portrait or broader artistic expression—that will honor their family for generations, a legacy born of his own remarkable path.
Begin a Conversation.
Now that you know the story behind the studio, the next step is to discuss yours. The Legacy Design & Consultation is a private, one-on-one session to begin the collaborative process of defining your legacy with the artist.