Kemp is a language practitioner and a versatile and multi-talented artist who works as artist, portraitist, translator, copywriter, cartoonist, journalist, book illustrator, and art teacher. He loves sculpting, paints mostly in oils, and meets strict deadlines as an illustrator. Kemp has a commercial art diploma, a BA degree in languages and took classes in painting (acrylics and watercolors) and commercial art, but copying of the works of the Old Masters, invaluable constructive feedback from fellow-artists, constant experimenting, lots of portrait work, and teaching art as a school subject constitute the bigger part of his learning and growth as an artist. He taught graphic design, sculpture and painting for 5 years in South Africa’s West Coast at Vredenburg at the Lientjie Blok Art Centre. He did this up to matric level. Kemp has exhibited at king George Gallery, Port Elizabeth, the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Bloemfontein, Jeffreys Bay, Rust & Vrede Gallery, Durbanville, Die Ateljee, Piketberg, Western Cape, and Johan Smith Art Gallery, Clarens, among others. He paints subjects ranging from still lives, realistic landscapes, portraits and seascapes to imaginary scenes and dreamscapes. His portraits are done in pastels, oils, charcoal or pencil, from photographs or from life. His wildlife paintings are mainly from photographs in conjunction with During Jackie, a fellow- photographer and artist. Framed Kemp art is a common sight in many prestigious galleries around the world. Kemp also does commissioned copies of paintings of John William Waterhouse, Thomas Gainsborough, Gustav Klimt and other Old Masters. Some of his artwork have a life of their own and even choose their own frames.
