11 x 14 in. Ink on poster board.
I got to wondering about my enjoyment doing octopi and ocean floor scenes. I remembered reading all of the Ocean books in my H.S. library (Shawnee Heights, Tecumseh, Kansas) had this wild notion to join up with Jacques Cousteau my hero, the crazy part about it… I was afraid of water or at least water that I couldn’t see the bottom of. Then I started liking architecture, especially Frank Lloyd Wright , even though i had a fear of heights over 20 or 30 feet. Despite my fear architecture won out. I figured I could stay with cool looking western one story high ranch style houses with that low lean look…oh and only be 10 to 15 feet high…lol. At any rate after 2 years and an associate degree in architecture, I knew it wasn’t for me…so off to be an art teacher, something that I always loved, seemed to be good at, and had only a couple of fears… furnaces (ceramics, casting metal and glass blowing) and speaking in front of people ! Surely college could cure those issues…right, right?
This piece above was something I kept on my bulletin board during my years at Ottawa University, Kansas… adding things every so often to its landscape. The title? well remember the Alka–Seltzer commercials, the bathysphere started out as a tablet fizzing and bubbling. Octopi? If you look hard enough you will find at least one octopi and several squid…this was something that I could often look at during long study hours and feel a sense of ease…took me to a place I thought at one time was my future dream…notice how far you can see in my ocean…pure fantasy 😉
Oh by the way, manufacturing cured my fears of speaking in front of people and using and being around furnaces…but even with a degree in ART I never quite got to being a professional teacher of art…a small regret, but I like what I see in the mirror…so it is all good.
Art by Ken 
Sir, I saw all your artworks are great!
thank you
This piece is absolutely amazing! Keep up your artistry and you will inspire many!
To inspire is a very special honor one that shows itself over time, I appreciate your words…thank you
First of all I want to thank you for following papermudandme.wordpress. I love your art and will be following you. I particularly liked this Plop, Plop… In addition to my writing my art is limited to playing with mud. Aloha – pjs.
Hi there, Ken. Just have to say I remember that commercial!!! Thanks for following and liking my site. I just got to yours now, and I see I have much to catch up on. Let the games begin!
Even though your style is markedly different from his, I can’t but help think of Paul Klee’s work as I’m enjoying this piece. I think it is the fact that this piece has, for me, a kind of studied (and I use that word advisedly) child-like quality that I immediately associate with his work.
I must also add that I am really enjoying each story or essay that you include with your art pieces. You really have a gift, despite your protestations to the contrary!
I know I can tell a story and use a nice blend of words and down home humor, but i have been known to be long-winded at times…course i watch my audience when i can for those checking out ( texting, snoring, or tyeing their shoe-laces) and either cut it off ( conversion) or ask questions. My self-abuse of my writing ability i guess comes from a long academic career which I cerebrated C’s and D’s on written papers. But this blog has given me renewed hope with feedback from people like yourself that like my style…I guess there is truly is hope for those that row long enough upstream… 😉 thank you again.
Ken, Thanks for liking my Jump rope post. I love your work! This piece especially tickled my love of whimsy and color. I’ll be back.
This is wonderful-I love the color. And I can appreciate your story too-it is funny the directions life takes us-no experience is really wasted to get to the next place-
Thank you too for stopping by Move the Chair-I appreciate you taking the time to look-and I look forward to seeing more of your work-
I love the colour pallet and story.
lovely post and work full of inspiring imagination
Life takes us in many directions. Sometimes what we really love to do comes later in life after the kids are gone (although some never leave) and the mortgage is paid and retirement is on the horizon. I’m always saddened by friends who never make the time to pursue their passions.
Well said!
glad your were able to create art focusing on things in the world that you are interested in, very much like writing. no worries about not becoming an art teacher formally, you teach people in the world about art by sharing your artwork with them. )
I agree and sometimes the long way around can be more full filling … guess i will know in another 20 years…lol
A really good outcome Ken! I can identify with the teaching bit, but I wonder how manufacturing cured your fear of speaking in front of people?
Long story so i will try to give a shorter version … After college i still wasn’t very good about getting in front of people to speak, then came my first real job with benefits, canning dog food (best job i ever had) … but this wasn’t just any plant, it was General Food’s team based system in Topeka Kansas. Worked in a team of about 20+ people, we evaluated, coached, settled personal issues, taught, and even disciplined each other in this team setting. Needless to say you were expected/required to speak up at these team meetings and give your opinion. Practice, practice and more practice doing this and talking about something that i knew well and had a stake in, i over came my issues of speaking in front of people. Years later i was even part of a group that went to a National AQOP conference in Louisville Kentucky and stood on a large stage with two other team members and gave a 60 minute speech…a little scarey, but the Ken of old would never have gotten up there let alone made any sense if he could have spoken…can’t say i was a natural, but comfort of sharing my opinion/voice in a team system cured my stage fright…some who know me might say too well 😉
Maybe I should have gotten a job canning dogfood too. I have the same problem speaking in front of large groups. But you’re right. Practice makes it better.
That’s a powerful story Ken. What a remarkable team experience you all created. It seems that life eventually knits us together as a whole person – no experience is really wasted. thanks for this insight!