It’s been awhile since I’ve painted from life (direct observation-no photos).
I had a wonderful time painting with Old Washington’s Wednesday paint group.
Flower painting is NOT as easy as you might think (at least not for me). Flowers can be mean, horrible monsters as models…with their seemingly simple and dainty translucent petals.
It was fun! I got to visit with friends and I’m happy with the painting. Thank you Vicki Tichenor for the photo of me at the easel!
This is one of my go to locations for when I’m in the mood for a wide city view from a distance. I have my sketch, let’s set the easel up and start painting!
Spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to dust my rusty trusty paint box off and paint outdoors (like Monet and the other french impressionists)! I had a rough start (spilled my solvent and had to go home for more) but in the end, I got a finished painting that I’m happy with. I painted different views of this corner (Warner Lane) in Old Washington last year. This year, I wanted to paint the view from the highway. it’s only possible when the trees are sleeping and don’t have any leaves.
I had so much fun, I’m going to go out and try to get another painting today. Can you guess where I’ll go? Stay tuned to find out!
First made famous by the French Impressionists of the 1800s. Instead of working inside a studio, these paintings were painted outdoors; directly from life. My ‘studio’ was the wide open spaces of the west. I did not touch up the paintings afterwards, nor did I use cameras or any other digital tools. Every stroke of paint was created while standing outside in front of the subject of the painting. It’s all about capturing the essence of the moment.
Exploring a new, unfamiliar place, with high altitude, wind and a different kind of light and weather brought some challenges, but those challenges are what makes plein air painting so special and fun! There’s no time to get caught up in details. The paintings are made up of broad, expressive strokes. Being in these awesome new places gave me much needed joy and inspiration that I was able to put into the paintings.
then invite you all to come see them in person at my studio in Cincinnati. I’m still going to do that, but I want everyone to stay safe during the pandemic, instead of one big opening I’m going to give you the first look through this email.
If you are willing to wear a mask and comfortable visiting an indoor public space, I would still love to invite you to my studio at the Pendleton Art Center in Cincinnati. You can see this series AND another series of more abstract and whimsical style paintings IN PERSON on Tuesday and Thursday from 11-7pm the 21st and 23rd of September. To avoid crowds, appointments are preferred. You can email to make a reservation, or call/text me at 859.652.3136.
make sure you have subscribed to my email newsletter and keep an eye on your inbox, I’m working on an email sneak peek: a series of completely different style (and new!) studio paintings. They are in a more colorful, abstract, and whimsical style you may be familiar with. If you want first ‘dibs’ the email will come out later this week.
Thanks again for your interest/support of my work. Hope to see you in person soon. Stay safe out there!
Ken
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this is the east view of the flaming gorge canyon in South West Wyoming…it’s hard to photograph this incredible and wide view. thank goodness i’m a painter, and can squeeze it all into one scene.
Ken is a self-taught artist from rural Kentucky, whose work includes painting, printmaking, and pottery. He considers himself to be a 'lifetime learner' and uses art to explore and learn more about the world around him. Much of his work reflect his optimistic views on rural folk culture, river life and simple pleasures.
