New exhibit showcases artist Ken Elliott's mastery of the use of color.
by Jan Thompson
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| Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Through the Forest, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 60" |
‘Nature is where all the
inspiration and colors for a lifetime are always waiting.’ This is the conclusion
talented painter Ken Elliott has come to after over forty years in the art
business. Four decades spent observing technique, and establishing a wealth of
understanding on the use of light, lines and color, led Elliott to develop his
own compelling style.
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| Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Haze in the Distance II, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40" |
Altering, perfecting and
abstracting his perception of nature, rich bold color and vibrant shapes
emanate from Ken Elliott’s canvasses. The fascination with the endless palette
provided by nature inspired his latest collection of work, ‘Color,’ an exhibition
opening at Mirada Fine Art on Friday, May 6. Rendered in vividly modern hues, his landscapes
simultaneously convey powerful movement and deep serenity. ‘I don’t try to recreate nature (even
Monet said he never got that right).
Instead, my work is a simplification and exaggeration of elements found
within a landscape,’ Ken tells us.
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| Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Forest in Greens & Mauves, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40" |
Painting is not a linear
process for this artist. He
usually works on several pieces at a time. Elements of one piece spur
experimentation in another.
Jumping between work with oil paints and pastels allows differing
emphasis on line structure, color depth and illumination. And decades of experience have taught
Ken to not discount the potential of a ‘mistake.’ Just as in nature, Elliott has discovered that an imperfection
can often be the most visually interesting component.
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| Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Meadow Cascade, Oil on Canvas, 36" x 60" |
The artist’s work stands independent of any specific place or time. They
are a combination of the glory Ken Elliott sees in the world around him, and
his own vivid imagination.
Grounded in unifying illumination, each piece somehow portrays both a
kinetic energy and inherent calm.
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| Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Through the Purple Woods, Oil on Canvas, 24" x 24" |
