Grateful Notices: Yellow with Reds Insisting, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Yellow with Reds Insisting
Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches   Private collection, Ohio
Exhibited: Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art

This oil was started during an art workshop I held in Alaska. I have a lot of fond memories of the people and my time there.

With this work I was demonstrating a loose approach to paint application, creating an interesting composition and using color dramatically. Obviously, I have worked this motif many times but for this one I first wanted the grasses to have a soft texture and happily, that happened right away.

In the first session the reds and yellows were very bright. It seemed fine at the time but in the early morning when I saw the painting again, my realization was that the colors were off. The intention was for the brightest yellows to be in the trees but that wasn't working. So what to do?

Later when the class assembled, I went over what was discussed the day before and one of the topics was the use of grays. Since I liked the yellows as they were, another color was ruled out. With everyone waiting around for me to do something, I added a bit of grey to a bright orange and went right into the wet, yellow paint on the left and to my delight, the toned down yellows revealed a few of the original, brighter yellows in the back. The leaves still appeared to be yellow, just toned down.

That went well so I got another brush, loaded it up with a medium grey and added it to the bright yellow leaves on the right. The paint was still very wet and the application of grey turned the leaves to an interesting green, again revealing some of the untouched, brighter yellow from the day before.

With the further addition of a medium dark and lighter lime greens at the top, the oil now had a nice balance and was far more interesting. It was almost magical how quickly it all came together by using a color that wasn't intuitive, a simple, medium grey. It was a good day in the classroom.

The gallery told me today that a very nice couple had purchased this oil to commemorate their 50 wedding anniversary. I am much honored and my congratulations and thanks go out to you both!

Grateful Notices: Orange and Red Woods, oil on canvas 36 x 48

Orange and Red Woods, oil on canvas 36 x 48

This oil has always been a favorite and I was thrilled to get the call from Dominique at the Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM letting me know that collectors in Boston had purchased it.

Looking back at it now, I am happy with the depth, directness and wide variations of color. I recall the juggling of all of those colors, insisting on so many and trying to find the key to get them to all work together.

Turns out the answer wasn't intuitive. It took one more color to make it happen, the dark and light aquas. It was an "Ah Ha" moment that brought out the maximum effects of the yellows and reds.

My Grateful thanks!

Grateful Notices: Brightly Lit Woods, pastel 22 x 22 inches

Brightly Lit Woods, pastel 22 x 22 inches
Purchased from Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM

This work started out as a drawing of a wood with a stark, evening light bathing everything. I was going to fill it in with full foliage but as the drawing progressed, the simplicity prevailed. I put it aside for a very long time - it could have been a year because of the power of it and my lack of any idea to make it better. Finally, I added bit of feathery greens and touches of reds around the water, leaving plenty of the original, high-contrasts areas to fuel the strong and stark effect.

The pastel exhibited in a couple of prestigious shows including the Madden Museum of Art, Denver and at the PACE Center in Parker, CO.

Happily, it has been purchased for a private collection in New Mexico.
Thank you!

Exhibit: PACE Center, Hand-Pulled: Mark Lunning's Open Press

It's a great honor to be in this show with other remarkable artists. I have 5 monotypes in the exhibit and they look great on the PACE Center steel walls.

Perhaps you can take a look and tour the incredible public space for the arts that has been created in Parker, CO.

Here are the details:

Hand-Pulled: Mark Lunning's Open Press
Artist's reception, Friday March 2, 6pm
PACE Center, Parker, CO
20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker, CO 80138 map
Through April 30

A group show highlighting a selection of print makers who have worked with Master Printer and artist Mark Lunning at Open Press:
Patricia Branstead, Dale Chisman, Brian Comber, Patti Cramer, Joellyn Duesberry, Ken Elliott, Joe Higgins, Homare Ikeda, Viviane LeCoutois, Chuck McCoy, Janice McCullaugh, Geoffrey Ridge, and Daniel Teitelbaum. Also featuring recent works by Mark Lunning.

The exhibit was curated by Rose Fredrick, Denver.

Currently Exhibiting at the PACE Art Center, Parker, CO

EDGE OF THE WOODS, AUTUMN
oil on canvas, 36 x 36   $5100 framed

Parker Artist Guild Annual Exhibit: “2017 Colorado Showcase” PACE Center Art Gallery.

I am honored to have been juried into this exhibit at the beautiful PACE Center in Parker, CO.

The 46 painters and sculptors juried into this year’s show work in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, pastel and mixed media, as well as photography, clay, stone and bronze. 

Through December 26, 2017

October Newsletter, 2017

Ken Elliott's Art (Late) October 2017

October News: the late late version Is it November already!? Well, jumping right into the newsletter, I'm honored to have been selected as part of the 2017 Colorado Showcase at the PACE Center, Parker, CO. This annual exhibit was assembled from artist submissions from across the state. The 46 painters and sculptors selected for this year’s show work in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, pastel and mixed media, as well as photography, clay, stone and bronze. The show was juried by the PACE Center curator Rose Fredrick. I hope you can attend the Opening Reception: November 3, 6-8pm. There will be music, appetizers and a cash bar. This event is FREE and open to the public through December 26. PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker, CO 80138  map Recently, two of my oils were purchased by the Columbine Country Club. Many thnaks to Debbrah Courtney with the Denver Art Company and in copperation with Saks Galleries, Denver. It's a delight to walk into the main entry and see that 5 foot oil hanging there. Currently I'm working on 3 oil commissions for a prominent hospital out of state and two more commissions have just been approved for another hospital in Michigan. It is fullfilling work, making oils for these healing centers. My grateful thanks to all that were involved in the selection process. My best wishes to you and thank you for your kind support! Ken New Works: Red Progressions Oil on canvas, 48 X 72      $13250 framed Exhibiting: Saks Galleries, Denver More about this oil on Ken's blog, For the Color View the 3 minute video of this oil with Ken narrating Edge of the Forest Oil on canvas, 36 X 36      $5100 framed More about this oil on Ken's blog, For the Color Currently Exhibiting: Edge of the Woods, Autumn Oil on canvas 36 x 36   $5100. framed Exhibiting: PACE Center Art Gallery, Parker, CO as part of the 2017 Colorado Showcase. Through December 26. Yellows at the Two Creeks Oil on canvas 36 x 48    $6800 framed Exhibiting: Saks Galleries, Denver Received Award of Merit, Governor's Art Show and Sale at the Loveland Museum, CO Grateful Notices: Bright Patterns Oil on canvas, 48 X 60 Sold to the Columbine Country Club by the Denver Art Company and Saks Galleries, Denver More about this oil on Ken's blog, For the Color Illuminated Fall II Oil on canvas 36 x 36 Sold to the Columbine Country Club by the Denver Art Company and Saks Galleries, Denver Workshops / Private Sessions: Take your work to new heights. These workshops and private sessions will focus on strategies for making better paintings, going to new places in your work and making fine art. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies including Photoshop insights made easy. Schedule private lessons anytime and coming up in May: Making it Fine Art / Advanced Strategies workshops My next workshop will be in mid-May, 2018. Details will be announced soon. Contact Ken to learn more or to schedule a private or group workshop in your area.  all workshop info Great things happen in these Fine Art Classes with information that will last a lifetime. Ken's work at the Denver International Airport Should you find yourself at the Denver Airport, take the time to view my work and those of my gifted Expand artists / colleagues reproduced in the Main Terminal. You will see the images between the baggage claim areas and behind the car rental counters. This “Here to There” themed display was curated by the DIA Art and Culture Program. The airport desired more color in the main terminal spaces and happily, we were allowed to use it as our playground. Many thanks to my fellow artists and everyone that made this possible! Our EXPAND artist group is comprised of five artists from the Denver metro area: Victoria Eubanks, Janice McDonald, Carol Ann Waugh, Mary Williams and myself. Publications: A Survey of Paintings and Prints at the PACE Center with works in oils, pastels and monotypes. This exhibition catalog can be purchased online here. 30 color pages and text by the artist. $10 plus $4 postage. Ken Elliott American Landscapescoffee table book: This large coffee table book reprises 25 years of my works in oil, pastel, monotype, etching and collage.Large, coffee table hardback version, 11 x 13 inches, 94 color pages with essays. Book and a signed giclee print of the cover image: $150 or just order the book for $115. Also available as an iBook / download on Apple devices for $9.99. You can preview the complete book and how to order your electronic or hardback versions from my website. My Blog, For the Color Want to follow along in my studio? Come across some interesting art bits and intriguing posts from elsewhere? Check out my artist's blog: For the Color and on the right of the blog under Followers, click Join this Site. Right now you can view vintage videos of Renoir, Degas, a Piet Mondrian video montage, comments about my works and observations about museum artworks from some recent trips. View my newest artworks: This monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with my new works and events. You can also follow me on Facebook and go more in depth with my blog, For the Color. To view the total of my works in all media and in all my galleries, go to www.kenelliott.com Thank you, Ken Contact Ken 303-995-1611 email website Art Blog: For the Color Sign up for this monthly newsletter Image top: Edge of the Forest(cropped here) Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches American Art Collector Magazine: "Elliott's canvases display the strikingly vivid modern hues in which he chooses to render his contemporary landscapes."  Southwest Art Magazine: Although his paintings loosely reference photographs and plein-air sketches, they refuse to exist within the confines of already-prescribed images. Rather, they stand independent of any specific place or time, the fulfilled pursuits of the artist’s visual and intellectual explorations. Elliott wields color boldly, creating sizzling, vibrant shapes that are at once kinetic and placid, grounded in unifying illumination, and focused compositions. He has a fascination with line structure as well, believing that “edges empower colors.”  Private Lessons: I have really enjoyed giving private lessons over the years. It is casual, focused and fun. There will be a big result in your approach to making fine art and clarity on your career strategies. Give me a call and we'll discuss what works best for you. Lodging and transportation can be provided for the Castle Rock Workshops. What they are Saying: "Thank you so much for the wonderful, thought compelling workshop. You rekindled my love for making art. Your enthusiasm is contagious and felt throughout the room. You set up a stimulating environment that provided continuous visual images and your generosity in sharing those photos was much appreciated. I found you to be humorous, supportive and kind. I would recommend you as an instructor to anyone who would like to take their art to the next level." "I can't thank you enough for coming to Boulder! Thank you for your clear eye, your hard work, your beautiful color and your careful feedback. I'm now a different Painter...maybe a different person? I loved the weekend. And I can't wait until we get to soak up your love for the work, for Wolf Kahn, for COLOR -- yet again (note that I'm greedy). You are an amazing addition to our lives." M. "Thank you so much for lighting up our lives and our paintings at this past weekend’s workshop! I loved hearing about your time with Wolf Kahn, your thoughts on painting, the beautiful demo, and of course the great feedback you provided us on our own paintings. You really reignited my desire to paint freely. Thanks also for your generosity in sharing the numerous links. I hope to spend another weekend painting with you sometime soon." B.H. "Thank you for the workshop! It was a great two days. You are an amazing host and instructor, (two things that don’t always work together). You pulled something from each of us and it was wonderful to be a part of it. Thanks to the moon and back," V. "Thank you Ken. It was a wonderment! I learned so much." Kathy "I so enjoyed meeting you and being part of the workshop. You got me on fire!!!!!" Ed "Wow! My weekend of private lessons was fabulous! While I was there I stepped into a whole new world that my soul was calling for. Wonderful conversations, a beautiful time with great art everywhere and artistic success!" Kate "It was a fabulous workshop! I know we all had a lot of fun and really enjoyed having you here. We would love to have you come back again next year!" Donna "Just wanted to thank you again for a very inspiring, informative, and fun workshop. I worked LARGE today!" Maxene "Thank you for all your inspiration!" Deb "Thanks SO VERY MUCH, Ken, for such a fun, informative, and energetic workshop. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What a wonderful weekend!!" Christine "When I signed up for a painting workshop, who knew that it would be so much more.Thank you Ken. For your kindness, generosity of spirit, and sharing your knowledge and skill of painting with us. Thank you to everyone for making our time together a magical weekend which will be cherished. Fortunately the universe provided me with what I needed, whether I knew it or not." Linda "Love the class, you are a great teacher!" Betsy "I feel so enriched and on fire to paint big and glowing colors. If you ever get a chance to study with Ken Elliott, I highly recommend him. If you need help getting to his workshops just read his book Manifesting 123" Francine " Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest SHARE THIS EMAIL

Exhibition: PACE Center, January 16, 2015

The PACE Center in Parker, Colorado 2015

Photos from the opening reception Friday, Jan 16, 6-8 pm. 

The exhibit includes my works in a number of mediums: oil, pastel and monotypes.
The exhibit continues through Saturday, March 7, 2015


My sincere thanks for everyone that was a part of putting this show together and for all the friends and patrons that came by and sent their good wishes.
It's not an everyday event for an artist to have a survey show. This is an honor and a thrill for me.

Some of these works are for sale and others are in my personal or private collections.
View all the available works for sale in this show and with my galleries on my website. Feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions.

New Catalog: A Survey of Paintings and Prints at the PACE Center

This exhibition catalog can be purchased at the PACE Center or online. 30 color pages and text by the artist. $10 plus $4 postage.  purchase here


Photos from the opening night