Painter, notably of portraits, who was educated at Gresham’s School, Norfolk. His drawing and painting were early encouraged by his father, Martin McKeown, and his grandfather, Tom Carr, both artists. Upon leaving school James MacKeown began painting seriously for exhibition, having a first solo show in Haverfordwest in 1978. His entry for the National Portrait Gallery portrait competition in 1981 was highly commended. MacKeown gradually secured a number of portrait commissions in England and France, where he lived in Normandy. In 1989 he showed with Normandy painters at Gisors and gained first prize and the Medaille d’Honneur. Held solo shows throughout Britain, including Phoenix Gallery, Lavenham, 1986; Fermoy Centre, King’s Lynn, 1987; Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery, 1988; Phoenix Galleries, 1989–91; Solomon Gallery, Dublin, 2001; and West Wales Arts Centre, Fishguard, 2003.