About

I started shortly after winning 3rd place in an all school book cover contest at Buntingthorp Air Force Base, England. That was my first work publicized, base newspaper, picture and all. I don’t think I have a copy of that picture anywhere but I still have my prize…a How to Draw book with inscription!  That was my first taste, besides mom & dad, of public approval for my efforts. From then on ART has never been too far from my life. Classes in college/Art major, free-lance for City of Topeka, side line at several factories (came in very handy) I worked in during my business career, and occasionally sharing the joy with my wife and 4 children as they grew up.  But until 3 years ago I really didn’t pursue what I could do with my talent to create finished pieces. To think I got started again by doing shoes and 15 pairs later I was back covering blank rectangles with my ideas/visions. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of showing at a local art fair with my son, got into my first gallery, and will have my first show/display soon.

As for my style…at present it is brite rich colors with a lean towards  organic (maybe whimsy at times) and abstract in nature.   I was the kid that had to have that box of 72 crayons and anything else that caught my eye when it came to applying color.  The list of artist that influenced myself to be fair is quite long, I would have to list a couple of dozen. . . even in that list it would seem very eclectic.  If my style  seems very controlled at times I owe that … did I mention I have a A.S. in Architecture?  Architecture was so black & white, and my early art teachers in college had us only working with limited color pallets.  I think that is why I love color so much, it makes the creating process using rich colors so enjoyable…to the point I am always adding/buying a new paint, marker, or pencil when they catch my eye!  Some of my pieces do have  a deeper meaning to them, but let’s be honest some just happen and they work for me.  The way I work, the effort I put in, the layer upon layer I spread out, the piece is almost like shaping clay, wood, or stone…I stay at it until it looks and feels the way I want it.  I am so sure that when I created that Curious George cover so many years ago I felt the same way I do today…QUICK LET  ME DO ANOTHER!

This is my gallery to share with you, my hope is that something will catch your eye…I appreciate the time you took regardless.

283 thoughts on “About

  1. Thanks for following my blog. Like you, I’m a recovering architect, who has also embraced color. Just now I’m focusing on writing while I get my studio set up. Stay tuned for more prints and drawings emerging into the blog!

  2. Pingback: Welcome to a new friend: Art by Ken | Hey Sweetheart, Get Me Rewrite!

  3. I just want to tell you that I am just new to blogging and site-building and seriously savored you’re website. Most likely I’m planning to bookmark your website . You actually come with perfect posts. Cheers for revealing your web page.

  4. Hi Ken – what a lovely blog! I love your artwork. I’m also a big fan of rich, diverse colors. Those shoes look beautiful!
    Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog – I want to write more about color, since my post The Color of Shame seemed to resonate with so many people. Perhaps I can get inspiration on your blog!

  5. Hi, Thanks first of all for visiting my blog, but I just shared one of your pieces on my FB, the squares….I adored it. I’m currently looking for guest posts to share the love a bit was wondering if you would share this piece and maybe a post you’ve already done or a new one. I would of course include all your information etc.

    It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you perhaps put my blog on your Facebook, but that’s not why I’m doing this. I want to get talented artist out there into the universe and be a part of that.

    Let me know if you’re interested…Hummingbirdstudios@att.net WK

  6. Dear Ken Knieling,

    I am a gallery assistant at Agora Gallery, a contemporary fine art gallery in New York. Can I send you some information about our
    gallery and promotional services that you might be interested in?

    I look forward to hearing from you,

    Kind regards,

    Sabrina A. Gilbertson
    Assistant Director / Agora Gallery
    http://www.Agora-Gallery.com
    Sabrina@Agora-Gallery.com
    Phone: 212.226.4151 Ext. 201
    Fax: 212.966.4380

    • I am flattered, however at this time trying to sell in a gallery with major up front cost isn’t something i would be interested in. Appreciate your like and interest in my art, maybe someday I would merit showing in New York City…thanks

  7. I simply want to tell you that I am beginner to blogs and actually enjoyed this web site. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You really have outstanding article content. Cheers for revealing your web site.

  8. Can I simply just say what a relief to discover someone who really understands what they are discussing on the web. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you surely have the gift.

    • I am honored to get such recognition from you for my site, however i must respectfully decline…I hope this doesn’t offend you … maybe after I have a year under my belt blogging I will feel different…of course who knows what my site will look like by then :-)

      • I am not offended whatsoever! I understand completly! I think your blog looks awesome; amazing artwork! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, and good luck to you sir!

  9. I like what I see! You obviously didn’t need that Learn to Draw book – by the way, was it the one by John Gnagy (sp)? I had one too. Didn’t help. Thank you so much for finding my blog and following. I hope you will visit often.

  10. Just wanted to give you a heads up that I nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You can find the rules for accepting the award
    at:
    http://landofquo.com/award-season/very-inspiring-blogger-award/

    I’ll also take this opportunity to apologize for the effort you will have to expend in accepting the award if you choose to do so. It takes a while, but is worth it to the blog community (that’s what they’ve told me, anyway). Regardless, thanks for making the blogworld more inspiring in your own way. Congrats, and thanks!

    quo

    • Your explanation and personal recognition of my site is more than enough for me (i.e…I am to lazy)…oh by the way you are a very witty person with a nice sense of humor, can’t imagine anyone reading your blog and not getting a snort, chuckle, bemused laugh (e.i…you nailed them), pleasant smile, or fall off their chair laughing as they pull a rib muscle…thank you.

  11. Hi, thanks for liking my most recent article and for joining my followers. As an artist, you might be interested in my articles on aesthetics as well.

  12. Love the shoes and your art. Good luck on your upcoming show. Thanks for stopping by my site! I have a show coming up in June and the two new pieces are part of the work, belatedly, that I am preparing for it.

  13. Thank you for another magnificent post. Where else may anybody get that type of information in such a
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  15. Hey! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to take a
    look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Great blog and brilliant design and style.

  16. Hi there :D

    I wanted to say thank you for taking time our of your life to visit my blog & check out my posts. It’s so lovely to see that & be able to check out your blog because of it! It means a lot to have support from other bloggers!

    I see you are an artist, I can’t wait to take some time later on today to check out your posts, more of them anyways. From what I can see you’re very talented! What I’ve seen so far is amazing, so great job on that!

    Cheers :D

  17. Hi! Thanks for following my rant blog :) I also followed your blog since I am interested in illustration and that I am an animation student. Although I want to be more of an Illustrator rather than an animator :) Wish you all the best!

  18. Unquestionably consider that which you stated. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the internet the easiest thing to consider of.
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  19. I just want to mention I am just beginner to blogging and definitely savored this web site. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You certainly come with wonderful articles. Bless you for revealing your web site.

  20. This is a beautiful stream-of-consciousness expression. I applaud both the spirit behind it and the form.

    Thanks for visiting and liking my blog today. It’s wonderful to meet you.

    Nia

  21. Greate pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.

  22. Ken,
    thanks for Liking my Post “Outback Australia sunset” and deciding to Follow my blog. Wish I had your talent for colour.

  23. Thanks for dropping by my blog :)
    You have some wonderful work here – it makes me a bit envious! I always wanted to draw/paint but was completely useless and as for creative vision …… something I seriously lack but am trying to nurture!

  24. Thank you for following my blog. Yours is quite impressive. Keep it up.

    If you ever need help with design let me know, I’ve designed everything myself on my own blog.

    -C.W.S

  25. Hi, Ken. I’m the Prose Editor for Kansas City Voices magazine and we’re looking for submissions (especially art) for our next edition. Here’s the link if you’re interested. I don’t get to vote on the art submissions, but I think you’d have an excellent chance! http://www.wppress.org/main/
    I LOVE your work.

  26. Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower. I appreciate the encouragement as I start out on my new art career path. Your art is great. I will enjoy following your blog as well!

  27. I don’t know what’s better, your wonderful artwork or the clever titles you give them (and this is from a guy who has had to come up with a clever title and caption for my photoblog every weekday for over 2 years–600 posts to date). THANKS for subscribing to my “pun-ny” photoblog and for leaving a “like.” I hope I can bring you a smile (or at least a groan) every weekday!
    –John R.: http://TheDailyGraff.com

  28. Hi Ken! It’s only now that I was able to go around your blog and I am truly impressed by your artworks. Just dropping by to inform you that aside from my existing photo blog, I just created a new art blog and you happen to be the first on my blog list there – https://junsjazzart.wordpress.com/ Keep it up with your creativity! Regards!~JJ

  29. Hello,

    We have found your blog very inspiring and we would like to include you on our list of nominees for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. We appreciate your blogs purpose, originality, and most specifically find the content to be the core of its inspiration. You can see the award from the blogger who nominated us here, http://seefurtherblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/your-much-deserved-awards/ where you can also see an example of the post to accept the award if you want to – we hope you consider it.

    Should you choose to accept this award, here are the rules for accepting:

    The Rules

    Display the award logo on your blog.
    Link back to the person who nominated you.
    State 7 things about yourself.
    Nominate 15 bloggers for this blog and link to their pages.
    Notify these bloggers of the nomination and the awards’ requirements.

    We hope you consider accepting though there is no obligation. However, even if you do not accept, we just want you to know we appreciate how you inspire us and we love your work as well as your blog!

    Thanks,
    Twig
    http://www.snappingtwig.com

  30. Fantastic artwork throughout the blog, Ken! Thanks for stopping by and liking my most recent post, very much appreciated. Opinions and criticism are always welcome. Best of luck to you and take care.
    Dylan

    • You have been a long time follower of my site and I greatly appreciate that and the fact you would honor me with this award…however i must decline, as recognition from follows & likes and especially comments is award enough for me…hope you will understand…thks again

    • I appreciate your comments, but in all fairness the two galleries i have been in are local, which in most areas is easier if you know some of the art community…past that I haven’t taken to the road yet , except for this wonderful experience here…which has been keeping me grounded and fired up to create more.

  31. I know I’m really late at this and I’m sorry, but thank you for showing interest in my blog. You were one of the first to show up and that was back when I had my crappy computer. Everything wasn’t working so swell. Now that I have a new computer, I’ve been busy updating as much as I can. Anyway, again thank you and now that I have had a chance to check out your blog – I love it! :)

  32. Thanks for the kind words about Raggedy Ann and Andy. Your work seems to have the whimsy of Klee, but plenty of ideas right off the top of your head or in the case of last painting fingers! Hope you find new avenues to explore, Carolyn Wagenseller

  33. Wow – I was just looking at your artwork, and God has really given you an awesome gift! I’m truly honored that you are following my blog. I really love all of the colors – truly beautiful.

    Many blessings to you,
    Cheryl

  34. Hi Ken,
    Thanks for the add. I haven’t tried to push my work until recently because I’ve just been working like crazy. But it looks like you have the right approach and a lot of content. Fellow artist unite!

  35. Thanks for taking a look at my blog. I have enjoyed looking at your work too and am smiling at the “quick let me do another” comment ! It’s nice to hear about someone else who has reached a similar stage of life where we are having fun with our art again. Good luck with your shows and another year of art!

  36. I enjoyed viewing your art and had to smile as I read your about and found you are rediscovering how fun it is to create again. It feels like a reward to get back involved in art projects again! Have fun and good luck with your shows.

  37. Thank you for the like to one of my posts and the follow as well ^^

    I love your works. The detail and colour is beautiful, and you have a great way of using materials and mediums. Looking forward to seeing more : )

  38. Hi Ken
    I noticed you found my blog, so thank you, and I thought I would check yours out. Very interesting work – in addition to writing, I paint as well (have a blog-in-training similar to yorus for the art. Some of your pieces I really like and I collect art that appeals to me – do you sell any of your work?
    Thanks
    Eytan

    • We just had a local Artprowl and that was the first time i had posted prices on my works…I am thinking about getting a gallery site that shows prices, but with holidays i have that on the back burner … if there is a piece or two you are interested in shot me an e-mail kenknieling@gmail.com and i will reply. Using the Artprowl as a gauge I have priced my pieces from 250 – 600 dollars so far. I real appreciate the comment for two reasons…1) you are the first to ask me about if I sell.THANK YOU…2) this might help light a fire under me to get the other site going faster. another THANK YOU

  39. Thank you for following poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. I am looking forward to hearing your comments on the “stuff” I put out for publication. I am also looking forward to seeing your art as well.. Thanks again,
    Jake.

  40. Fine colourful art – first look. I will come back. And thank your for your visit and giving a like. The world are changing, artists, creators, inspirators, … – we are now connected by internet. I like it so much. Greetings from Italy
    Katharina

  41. Hello from across the pond and thank you for following Hanukah the Scribe. Not a modern art fan but yours is amazing Ken. Am now following you with great anticipation. Love David (Hanukah)

  42. Love your style. Beautiful work. Gives me inspiration to start again on my painting I had left some years since. Than you and keep up the good work.

    Shelley Kasli
    Creative Director
    WildChild Studios

  43. Hi Ken,
    Thank you for ‘following’ my page!
    I am in the final phase of re-branding and am looking forward to connecting with everyone on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/tywilsonartist.
    Please take a moment to “like” me over there so that we can stay in touch, as this site will be taken down at the end of the month.
    Have you had a chance to check out my new website? http://www.tywilson.com
    And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @tywilsonartist
    Thanks again for your comments and support. I’ll see you on the other side.


    Warmest regards,
Ty

  44. Nice to see that you have several bodies of work but that they aren’t all jumbled together as is so often the case. Often wished my drafting skills were stronger (as in architectural perspective) but have always been too lazy to actually study the process. Most of the “how-to” articles I’ve seen on the topic have been at best less than helpful…not to mention confusing. Probably why I stick to landscapes (who knows what Mother Nature really intended that tree to look like?) and animals. Thanks for following my blog–hope you continue to find it entertaining.

  45. Thanks for the follow over on my blog. I’ve been looking through your work here and am enchanted with it. As I delve a little deeper into photography, I feel pulled into the artists that I find here on WordPress. And I love your love of color!

  46. What a wonderful backstory you have, Ken. Your story illustrates that it is never too late to follow your dreams and passions. Good for you! Your work is beautiful—clearly you are very talented! I’m looking forward to taking a closer look around.
    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for the “follow.”

  47. Hello how are you , I do love your art..easy to say yes I know but I shall be back to look at it more closely as soon as time allows. I am grateful that you dropped by and like my post. I have always wished I could paint but some gifts are not given willynilly to everyone. Keep well and happy and keep painting!

  48. I love your choice of colors and your designs! Just beautiful!

    Thank you for signing up to follow my blog! I hope that you find it fun, entertaining, and that my photos might inspire a painting or two! Barb

  49. Hi Ken, nice to meet you and thank you for your Follow at art rat cafe – I am honoured. I’ve seen your art at Destructivetesting but look forward to exploring your site in more depth. Reading about your life is interesting and inspiring – you are amongst the few who know how to live fully and creatively…

  50. Thank you so much for liking my post “Measuring for precision” and following my blog “Diary of an art student” Ken! Looking forward to checking out your gallery as well :)
    Love, Light, and Laughter, Always,
    Ingrid

  51. Came by to thank you for “like” on my post “Feels like Home- To tunes of the 60′s & 70′s”. I do regular postings there as well as my own blog Barefoot Baroness. Hope to see more of you at both ~ BB

      • Wow thank you. There are so many ideas, interests and footage that either in my head or at my fingertips.
        I love to help others in anyway possible and if I achieve that by my blog I guess I have achieved it :) but I won’t stop… Lol

  52. Thank you for stopping by and “liking” my post on Recycled Art! I hope you come back and check out more of my posts in the future! I will definetly be coming back from time to time to “snoop” yours! :-)

  53. I don’t know that I have ever enjoyed an online gallery as much as I have enjoyed yours. Your work not only appeals to me, it seems as though it speaks to me; it draws me in and I love it. Thank you so much for your approval on my posted vintage camper Pinterest list on my blog. I am so happy to have found your blog. You have a follower and a true fan in me.

    ~Kate

  54. Ken, very impressive images – you have abundant talent! I could never create beauty manually like this – I have to get the camera do it for me! Thanks very much for following my blog, I hope you’ll enjoy the content. FATman

  55. Hi Ken…Just finally able to offer up a belated thanks for your “like” of my post “Going Once, Going Twice…” at yourdaddid.com. Always appreciate the likes, comment and feedback…Your work looks pretty good, too.

    All the best,
    Rex

  56. Ken, came to your site as a result you deciding to follow Learning from Dogs and so glad i did! Lots to drool over. Anyway, a big ‘thank you’ for subscribing and please feel free to drop me a guest post at anytime talking about some aspect of your art! Paul

  57. Whew! I really love your blog. During my high school years, I am a Visual Art Student under the curriculum Special Program for the Arts. But I admit, I cannot do something like these. Our teacher would only love me because of my competitive grades in art theories, history, etc…but never on hands-on aspect. ;-)

    • Thanks for taking the time to comment. The techniques others use for their art can be mastered with practice, practice, practice over time. However the art itself comes from the heart and mind of the artist, that is very hard to duplicate, but we all have that potential I believe…if we have the desire.

    • Thank you very much, means a lot Brian. They only had room to show 9 at a time…that being said i will rotate the stock every 3 weeks so people can see a wider selection of my works.

  58. Hi Ken, I wanted you to know that you are the Artist of the Day on my blog:

    http://destructivetesting.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/artist-of-the-day

    Please let me know if you would like me to add or change anything.

    The main purpose of the blog is to share the ‘Artistic Process’. What and where artists do what they do to create their art.

    I’d appreciate it if you would consider sending me some photos for my ‘Work Spaces’ and/or ‘Making It’ categories.

    Please send any photos to mfsmith46@gmail.com.

    And, of course, I’d like you to share this with anyone who might be interested.

    I have received messages like the following:
    Darcy commented on Artist of the Day / Sandy Martinez
    “Thanks for allowing us to know a bit more about the artist.”

    thanks, Mike

  59. Thanks for visiting my blog, Ken :)

    I absolutely love your work! It’s amazing how soft and evocative your pieces are when you’re using such geometric shapes. So much movement too. And you use light beautifully. I’m glad to have “met” you!

    Tara

    • Thank you Tara for your words of encouragement and your insight-fulness to my ART…I also enjoyed looking around your blog you have a gift for making pages look better.

  60. Thanks for liking my post. I also took up art later in life. It was always with me from childhood but now I have a Bachelor Degree in Fine Art, I make collage, digital, draw, paint and like you mixed media work.

  61. Thanks for reading my work-I will follow your blog and hope you will follow mine as well. I have done a lot of nature photography,unfortunately, most of it is on film/negatives. Do you know a good (and inexpensive) way to get the negatives transferred to cd?

    • If you have access to one, shops that still process film offer that type of transfer service, normally reasonable…or you might find someone on the internet that does it as a home business, get reviews first…these are your treasures after all.

  62. Thank you for liking my recent post and deciding to follow! I am so glad that I found yours as I really like your abstract art and will be following your blog. I too thought the river parade on the Thames was so moving and wished I could have been back to view it. Thank goodness for CNN!

  63. Thanks for liking my post! I really like your work here. I can see the architectural influences with the lines and control, like you said. Good stuff!

  64. Hi Ken,
    Thanks for liking my post! I look forward to seeing more of your art, very interesting stuff. Hope you’ve enjoyed your Jubilee weekend!
    Ben

    • You are welcome, amazing to be able to share with so many people, countries and cultures…as to the weekend, any and all weekends are special in my world…but I must say that watching that river parade down the Thames was once in a lifetime.

      • Were you at the River? We watched it here in Victoria, BC on TV and had a smile on our faces the whole time! What a show, you Brits sure know how to throw a party! I’m going to post some photos tonight of my trip to Britain as my “homage” to the weekend’s celebrations

      • Ah, haha! I see I guessed wrongly from your post about being on a British air base! Well, the television makes for a nicer, warmer viewing experience than what they had :)

    • Not sure what qualifies as a newbie on wordpress, i am just barely 2 months old, so thank you for becoming a follower…we will grow and learn blogging together.

  65. Thanks for liking my blog following it. I love your art. I am just starting to realize the painter inside, but have done collage art my whole life. I look at painting as collage work, just a different medium. I love color too. Enjoying your blog!

  66. Hi Ken,
    I want to thank you for stopping by my little blog and liking my post about the Worlds Largest Swimming Pool. I am enjoying looking at your art, I am a secret closeted artist. I look forward to see you again soon.

    Scott

  67. Hi Ken – I’m so glad you enjoyed my post and what a wonderful surprise when I followed the link to yours. I love your art and look forward to seeing more. Thank you for brightening my morning.

  68. Hi Ken….Thank you for liking my post. Love your style and use of colors. Vibrant colors are a personal favorite for me as well. Keep up the good work. All the best.

  69. Hello Ken, just to say thank you for stopping by and liking my blog, I love what I’ve seen so far of your art and look forward to seeing future pieces! All the best, Liz

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