Kevin Blagrave is an award-winning portrait and figurative artist and the founder of Oak Grove Art Academy, with over a decade of experience in education.

Raised in Philadelphia, he was introduced to classical art at a young age through his grandfather, an avid painter with a deep library of art books and drawings. Regular visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art further shaped his appreciation for careful observation, craftsmanship, and artistic tradition.

Although encouraged to pursue a STEM path and awarded a full scholarship to an Ivy League university for computer science, Kevin remained deeply committed to drawing and painting. He later relocated to San Francisco to pursue advanced training, studying under accomplished Chinese, Japanese, and Korean master artists.

Over the past 10+ years, Kevin has worked in education as both an artist and instructor, guiding students through structured, fundamentals-based learning. His teaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, clarity, and long-term skill development—helping students build confidence through real, measurable progress.