Ken’s been painting for more than 30 years, and the Wisconsin landscape and wildlife have been his focus – particularly in the Blue Hills area outside his rural home. Growing up in the area set a deep appreciation for its peaceful beauty and Ken is constantly challenged to portray this in his work. There can be beauty found in any mundane place given the right time and day and season. Ken is always looking for those places that can bring a feeling of peace and rest and the desire to be there to get away from a hectic world and just take it all in.
As a lifelong artist growing up in the quiet peace of northern Wisconsin, Ken has always been drawing and painting those wonderful places that surround his home. Fishing, camping, hunting and even trapping in his early years helped create a deep appreciation for nature and the great outdoors. It translated well with his interest in art and with a single minded purpose developed a style in realism that can be shared and enjoyed by everyone.
Being exposed to Oils for the first time in college, Ken never looked back. “With the style I use I like the brilliant colors and the time that Oils afford to continue from day to day on each painting”. I have also used charcoal and pen and ink along with acrylics but oils quickly became my favorite medium.
Although the Wisconsin landscape has been the main life focus on his work, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t other stories to be told from across the country. I’ve gotten to see much of the lower 48 states in the recent past and I can’t wait to get back to some of the wonderful places out west or in the Carolinas or Up state NY and Pennsylvania . “Every state has an area of wonderful interesting beauty to me and I won’t live long enough now to get back to them all, but I would love to try”.
The never ending quest to capture the light and the feel of the day is always the foremost goal in each painting. I love to seek out the beauty in the most mundane places. Light and weather conditions can always change the feel and give the impression of stepping into an outdoor room unique to the surrounding area. In today’s hectic world it’s always nice to have a reminder of quiet places that we like to escape to or just have a reminder of our special havens that we’ve treasured throughout our lives.