I was born in Neepawa, Manitoba, the birthplace of well-known Canadian author Margaret Laurence. I spent most of my childhood in Alberta and later attended Alberta University of the Arts, where I completed a diploma with honours in Visual Communications in 1989.
Cars have been a life-long passion of mine. I remember clearly being six years old and seeing a brand-new 1970 Mustang Mach 1 parked in the alley behind my family’s house. It was as if I were struck by lightning, and I’ve been smitten with muscle cars (frankly anything on four wheels) ever since. My parents gave me my first car (probably because I wouldn’t leave them alone about it) when I was 12. It was a very rusty 1960 Chevrolet 4-door Bel Air. I started instantly restoring it. Two years later my grandfather offered me the family farm truck, a 1955 GMC pickup. That was it, the Bel Air was out and my new goal was to restore the GMC. I spent the next four years taking it down to the frame and rebuilding it. And, I’m proud to say, I still have my GMC.
Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to travel the world and spend extended periods of time in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I feel it’s this love of travel that heightens my awareness of the beauty of Canada and our great landscapes.
I have been happily working as a graphic designer/illustrator for 33 years now. I started my career at Keyano College in Fort McMurray. It was there that I was fortunate to take an evening course and study under artist Rodney Konopaki. Rodney instilled in me a love for the art of printmaking, and especially block printing. The artwork produced during this creative period ended up becoming part of a collaborative show called Multiple Originals at the 1994 Edmonton Works Festival.
Shortly afterwards, I moved back to Edmonton and became an Art Director at a couple of different ad agencies. The fast-paced world of advertising left me little time to continue producing my fine art. So in 1999, I left the agencies behind and became a freelance graphic designer/illustrator. While I was able to do more personal creative projects, the design business still took most of my time. Three years ago I found that I really missed drawing, so I challenged myself to draw every day. This eventually led to setting up an Instagram account @fromkenspen, where I showcase my daily drawings.
In 2008, I lost my best friend, a border collie named Elvis. My family and I were heartbroken, and I was inspired to paint his portrait. Today it hangs in our home and we love how it makes us feel like he is still watching over us. I believe dogs are the most loving creatures on earth, so I feel it is my duty to perfect my ability to capture their likenesses for others to enjoy.
I find myself more inspired than ever to expand my drawing, acrylic painting and printmaking techniques. One of my art professors once told me, “Do the subject matter you are most passionate about, and that love will come through your work.” Hence, my subject matter ranges from landscapes to dog portraits, and of course cars.
This collection of acrylic paintings and prints features both commissioned work and pieces that I’ve done for my own pleasure. Prices shown are in CAD$. For information on the paintings not marked (SOLD), or to discuss a commission, please contact me using the form below.
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