Art history melds with mystery in new book by Keith Davis ’99
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Monday, August 11th, 2025
Keith Davis earned his Associate degree in Illustration from Pennsylvania School of Art & Design, PCA&D’s precursor, in 1999. Then, he went on to build his own technical design consulting business, KRD Design.
But something still stirred in the back of his head, a project he wouldn’t have time to tackle fully until just last year: A book, aimed at middle school-age readers, that envelopes many of Davis’s interests: Art. History. Tales of adventure. Mystery. World War II.
And he’s now published the end result of all that dreaming and hard work, “The Enigma of the Astronomer.”
His PSA&D experience, Davis said, still influences how he pursues his day job, as well as his creative pursuits as an author.
“At PSA&D, we learned early on that communication isn’t just a ‘soft skill,’ it’s the key to making creative work happen,’ Davis said. “Whether we are critiquing a composition or studying a historical reference, we were always being taught to articulate intent clearly and collaborate effectively. That ability to speak multiple creative ‘languages’ (visual, verbal, and technical) is something I rely on every single day.”
Can you talk about the genesis of your new book? How long had the idea been in your mind, and what finally prompted you to sit down and tackle it?
Keith Davis: I actually started writing the book years ago, but I put it on hold as I was also simultaneously building my business as a technical design consultant. Last summer, I decided to really dive in to finish the project and get it out into the world.
Can you summarize the plot for us?
KD: “The Enigma of the Astronomer” is a thrilling story that follows James, a young boy who uncovers a hidden past about his great-grandfather’s involvement with the Monuments Men during World War II. As he and his friend Emily unravel a series of clues left in his family’s old bookshop by his grandfather, they stumble upon a conspiracy involving stolen masterpieces, including Vermeer’s “The Astronomer”, and a clandestine organization operating in the shadows of Chicago’s underground tunnels. The story not only introduces young readers to the importance of preserving cultural heritage but also pays homage to the real-life heroes who risked everything to protect priceless works of art during one of history’s darkest periods.
Was there something in particular that attracted you to writing for older elementary school/middle school-age readers?
KD: From the very beginning, I wanted to make this a middle-grade book because THAT was the age that solidified a lifelong love of reading for me. I still remember summers tearing through these kind of mystery/adventure books. My goal was to create the same kind of book … my 10-to-13-year-old self would have loved, blending my passions for history, art, World War II, and mystery — rooted in the real-life mission/story of the Monuments Men. My hope is to spark that same sense of wonder in today’s young readers.
The book ties in some art history (the Monuments Men as well as “The Astronomer” by Vermeer)… is that a reflection of a personal interest in art history? If so, was that interest piqued during your time at PSA&D?
KD: When I first learned of the Monuments Men story, something just clicked. Probably because it combined almost all of my favorite topics: art, history, and World War II, and a secret treasure hunt happening in the background of a war that changed the world. It’s literally the real-life inspiration for Indiana Jones.
I loved my Art History classes at PSA&D, in particular, second year with Deb Greenleaf. We did a lot of analytical writing about paintings, both contextual and technical. I take a similar approach to presenting the historical information in the book, while keeping it approachable to a middle-grade audience.
Are there any lessons you learned in your time at PSA&D that influenced this book?
KD: Absolutely. PSA&D taught me to always look deeper: to ask who made something, what influenced them, and what was happening in the world around them. That mindset really shaped how I build the world of (my fictional bookshop) The Black Binding.
One of the things readers loved most is the bookshop itself. I imagined it as a mix of John King Books in Detroit and The Mansion on Q in D.C., a maze of themed rooms, hidden doors, and strange artifacts. That opening tour through the shop is filled with Easter eggs referencing Golden Age illustrators like J.C. Leyendecker, which we studied closely in school.
At PSA&D, we talked as much about jazz as illustration because it was all connected. That idea of seeing history as layered, alive, and full of context is something I’ve carried into every creative project since.
Are there any lessons you learned in your time at PSA&D that influence you in your daily work as a technical design director?
KD: The way I explain what I do professionally as an EGD Technical Design Consultant is: I take people’s crazy ideas and figure out how to build them.
At the core, my job is all about communication — bridging the gap between design and fabrication. That’s especially true in EGD, where you’re translating graphic design into the built environment. It’s a highly interdisciplinary space, and that’s what makes it so exciting.
Do you have any advice for someone — aspiring book illustrators and authors — that would be helpful for them beginning this process?
KD: Finishing the book is only half the work. The real challenge is getting it out into the world. Marketing, outreach, events … it’s a full-time job, but just like illustration or writing, it’s all about communication.
My advice? Start local. Independent bookstores have been the heart of my launch. Shops like Pocket Books in Lancaster truly support local authors and carry my book on their shelves. They don’t just stock books, they build relationships. That kind of partnership is gold.
It’s a two-way street, too. We’re not just asking them to carry our books, we need to support them as well. When you buy books online, look to sites like Bookshop.org where you can choose the local bookshop where the profits of your purchase can go. Shops like The Black Binding in the story.
If you’re just starting out, don’t wait for a big break. Get out there, introduce yourself, and start building your community.
Images: Courtesy Keith Davis
Facebook author page here
Keith Davis’s Substack here
Instagram here