Ken Marsden Art

...just a reminder to locals that the Healing Art Art Walk & High Tea will be held at Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, WI, Sunday November 2 at 3:30-6:30 with an Artists Reception 4:30-6:30PM...hope to see you there.

Also, East Ludington Gallery, Escanaba, MI will have it's Holiday Open House November 7 & 8 during the normal 11:00 t0 5:00 business hours. In addition I will be at the ELG Gallery Monday, November 10. As usual during my work days at the gallery I will be doing watercolor painting demonstrations.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

This morning as I walked in the backyard drinking my coffee and discussing things with the cat I was reminded of my latest yard project failure. As usual I had decided to put up the Christmas decoration before the cold weather makes things miserable. It was to be Mary riding a donkey led by Joseph. I used white twinkie lights strung on some wire mesh to outline the imagery. It looks like it should be good when viewed in daylight but a nighttime trial showed it to be a failur - just looks like a bunch of lights- back to the drawing board.
Ken

Ken Marsden Art

"Late Arrival"
Lighthouses aren't required in these days of high technology and GPS systems but I trust most will be around for a long time to come. They certainly are a favorite subject for artists. This lighthouse is at the mouth of the Menominee River which is the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Bad, Bad Corn
You can read my Artist Statement about this painting at my web site, www.kenmarsden.com. The thought I had today about painting was prompted by this painting I did some time ago. Recently I have seen a number of Internet writings talking about how the discipline of doing a painting a day will keep you painting and therefore be beneficial to your creativity. So you plop down at your easel or drawing board in your studio and--paint what? I guess those practicing this notion would say "It doesn't matter." I think it does matter what you paint. My practice is
to put the emphasis on finding an inspiring subject. When I find an inspiring subject everything takes care of itself. The urge to paint is there naturally and I have no need to force myself to crank out some work.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Lately I have been doing watercolors based on old Master works. This one was from Frans Hals Gypsy Girl, 1628-30. Attempts such as this provides lessons in humility as one realizes how great the old Masters really were. Still, much can be learned from these exercises.

As a member of a coop gallery I am expected to decorate the gallery window from time to time. These paintings based on famous works were started as part of my layout for my next window.
Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Marinette County, Wisconsin is noted for it's waterfalls. Naturally I have done paintings of them. I find them to be a difficult subject. This painting is of Dave's Falls and I was almost satisfied with it.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Different Points of View
This past week we made another delightful visit to Galena, Illinois. On the way home we luckily by chance stopped in an antique store with a 3rd floor art gallery and met Bruce Fortney, a talented oil painter. Go to www.brucefortney.com and you will see I kid you not.

One thing about looking at another artist's work is that it sparks the drive to get to the studio and start painting.

Ken