How many places are known by their relationship to the last glacier? Ken hales from the Driftless Area of Wisconsin where the last glacier didn’t plow through and the second to last glacier left hills and caves, intriguing micro-climates, and deeply etched river basins. The domesticated hillsides were once home to woodlands of oak and sugar maple and the plateaus’ shallow soil hosts classic Midwest prairie. Any surprise that a painter would choose to live here?
Ken and his wife Kate bought a farm in Viroqua, WI several years ago and live there with their four kids and some horses. Ken teaches at the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art and the Scottsdale Artists School when he’s not painting murals for a theater or a series of med school subjects for a Chicago University or challenging himself to complete a painting a day for 30 days. And that’s not even including basketball!
For Ken there is nothing more rewarding and challenging than painting under an open sky, surrounded by the scents and sounds of nature, along with it’s ever changing color and harmonies to excite one’s creativity.
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts with honors, Ken began working in a commercial art studio in Chicago. He 
continued his studies at the American Academy of Art, where he studied with nationally recognized watercolorist, Irving Shapiro. Upon Irving’s recommendation Ken joined the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, where he soon began studying with Scott Burdick as well as Dan Gerhartz. It is here that Ken adapted his direct and pure approach as well as his bravura brush style, which he achieves by painting from life.
Strongly inspired by John Singer Sargent, Nicolai Fechin, Joaquin Sorolla and the Russian Impressionists, Ken finds himself painting an array of subject matter from everyday life. The feelings Ken evokes in his paintings are due in part to the excitement and passion he feels while capturing the fleeting effects of light, or the wonderful color nuances and harmonies presented by nature and all of her beauty.
Ken continues to travel throughout the United States as well as Italy. He has spent many a summer day painting the Italian hillsides, American vistas, and beauty wherever it finds him. This has always been a contributing factor in his work, insight, and inspiration and growth as an artist.
Ken will be joining us in Wilmington for Paint Wilmington 2011, which takes place in and around Wilmington from April 25-30.
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