Ken Marsden Art

...not a painting but a digital photo from my backyard. This is a small group of Tundra Swans that have been hanging around longer than usual this year. Usually there are jus a few but this year there were hundreds. They stay a short while on their way to where ever it is they winter.

I don't have a significant telephoto lens but I'm going to try to do a painting from what I have to work with. I suppose if I were more dedicated (and younger) I'd build a blind to conceal myself down on waters edge and get some better photos.

Oh well! I'll put the finished painting on this blog if it turns out OK.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

"Three Sisters" I have been trying extra hard to simplify my paintings. When I show this painting to visitors to our home and then ask them to look across to the woods in front of the house they cant even find the three trees that inspired this painting.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Thanks to all that attended our Open House event at East Ludington Gallery this weekend! I trust that those more distant will check out my new web site, www.kenmarsden.com.

Thanks!

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

"Failing Light"

I watched an artist on TV paint a rose. During the chit chat that goes along with those TV demonstrations the artist commented that "you don't have to paint exactly what is there. Try to paint the most beautiful rose there ever was." I tend to paint florals (and other subjects) that aren't necessarily the "prettiest." Just like with people, the ones that show the wear and tear of life are usually more interesting. I also usually don't paint flowers stuffed into a vase but there have been exceptions. The idea of painting them alive and free to bob in the wind is more appealing.

P.S. Take a look at my redo of www.kenmarsden.com

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

"Opposite Points of View"

I think many artists enjoy the act of painting or sculpting or whatever it is they do to create. Afterwards we may feel good when we receive a compliment or recognition of our work but to me it is a different feeling than the one I get while actually doing the work. Too much of the one can cause me trouble, to get a swelled head which interferes with the next painting.

Recently I received compliments from the owners of paintings I did over 25 years ago. Perhaps because of the separation in time it gave me a good feeling without messing with my thoughts about my current work. It felt good to know people were getting pleasure from something I painted many years ago.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

I just finished a portrait of my neighbor and her daughter...thought I'd share it.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

"Mates"

My studio overlooks the water here on the Bay of Green Bay. I can hear the shotguns booming away steadily throughout the day. Yet the ducks, geese and seagulls still hug our shoreline. Lately we have been blessed with a flock of Tundra Swans. They swim so effortlessly back and forth just a few yards from shore, stopping occasionally to tip over and feed, with their rear ends pointing skyward. Meanwhile, closer to the studio, Chicadees keep chattering as they make their constant back and forth trips to our many feeders. Years ago we had a notion to sell this place. Now I wonder what could I have been thinking?

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

...another image forgotten and then found during my recent attempts to straighten up my studio. Alexys and Alyssa Christian (Grandaughters) posed for this. A librarian commissioned the painting and gave me considerable freedom in choice of composition. That is always appreciated. I shudder when a patron says "I know exactly what I want."

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

I have been trying to straighten up my work area which is a mess. I came across things I had forgotten. One of those things was a print of a painting I had done sometime ago. The painting had been triggered by finding an old family photo. It was not a good painting. My excuse is that I did it while recovering from a viral infection and was being affected by the medication used to treat me. As an aside, I ask, why do they say you are being treated when you are ill? It is no treat! The medication made me shaky, but I forged ahead, undaunted by lack of success. It was a "bad" painting but there was something about it that I liked. Memories are like that. They often contain something we like but often a whole lot we don't.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

...just another reminder about the Christmas Open House at East Ludington Gallery, 619 Ludington St., Escanaba, MI on November 20 and 21. All items in the gallery will be discounted 10%. I will be offering an additional 30% on selected Paintings. Other artists will be offering various additional discounts on their items.

...hope to see you there!

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Opposite Points of View

Yesterday I was asked if I enjoy modern art. I never know exactly how to answer that question. I suppose to give a meaningful answer a person would need to define what they mean by "modern art". Too much of it seems to me to be an attempt to present a message when the artist has nothing to say or if they do have something to say, don't have the tools or talent to express it. I paint for the joy of painting and sort of as a by product hope someone will get a moment of pleasure from the painting. When I look at a modern painting and it gives me a moment of pleasure that's great. But I don't need to be reminded how corupt the world is or whatever else is bothering the artist.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

I included this image in a past blog but repeat it here because it fit the thoughts rumbling around in my mind. I always liked this painting because it conveyed a mood and scene without really going into any detail. Actually the cows depicted if looked at individually and up close aren't even identifiable as cows. I try to get that idea across to students who come to me for help with watercolor painting. So many do what I call kid's coloring book paintings. They draw a scene and then fill it in the way we did as kids. Careful! Don't go outside the lines! Ken

Ken Marsden Art

In my blog two days ago I complained about the weather. Today East Ludington Gallery in Escanaba, MI participated in an Art Walk. The weather was beautiful and we had a great turnout. Perhaps I should complain about the weather more often.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

We have had a crappy autumn. Usually October is really nice. Not so this year. I can still heat my tiny studio with its small propane heater but when I do, as I did this morning, I just don't seem to be inspired to paint. My solution was to force myself to do some framing projects. Somehow that got the painting mood started and I began routing through CD's of earlier paintings. I think the painting shown here was done perhaps 30 years ago. It was titled simply "Shade".

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Opposite Points of View

I have always had mixed thoughts about having reproductions of my paintings. I know others have written extensively about the subject but it hasn't helped clear my mind. Generally I have avoided it but occasionally have some done in a much smaller size than the original. Somehow that seems OK. Yesterday I had Graphic Impressions, Wausaukeee, WI make some that will be used for display at City Hall in Menominee, MI. On short notice they wanted paintings of "Winter" and although I have done many, the originals have been sold or are out in galleries so I opted to show reproductions. I seem OK with that. Do other artists struggle with those decisions?

Ken Marsden Art

The East Ludington Gallery in Escanaba, MI is celebrating "TwelveWeeks" of Christmas. In addition, this Saturday, November 7, there is an "Art Walk" which will include ELG. Then, on November 20 and 21 the gallery will hold its annual Christmas Open House. ELG's Christmas Open House events are always a fun time with a variety of discounts on Fine Art and gift items covering a wide range of prices. If you are within driving distance please stop by. Actually, since the gallery is open six days a week, any day is fun at ELG.

Here is a recent painting of a Wisconsin farm that will be hanging in the gallery as soon as I finish framing it.

...see ya there!

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Last night we attended the unveiling of Kay Eaton's oil portrait of congressman Bart Stupak. Kay did a very nice job. The conressman and wife were of course there and host Nancy Douglass had arranged for some delicious treats. The event was held at the library in Menominee, MI. The library overlooks the marina and the lighthouse at the mouth of the Menominee River. That prompts me to include this recent painting which will be converted into six inch tiles to be sold at local galleries. It perhaps might be a bit more "Edgy" than my normal style.