Ken DeWaard

Plein Air Painter Ken Dewaard Harbor Loop Gloucester, Mass Scene

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts with honors, Ken DeWaard began working in a commercial art studio in Chicago. He continued his studies at the American Academy of Art, where he studied with nationally recognized watercolorist, Irving Shapiro. Upon Irving's recommendation, DeWaard joined the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, where he soon began studying with Scott Burdick as well as Daniel Gerhartz. It was here that DeWaard adapted his direct and pure approach as well as his bravura brush style, which he achieves by painting directly from life. Strongly inspired by John Singer Sargent, Joaquín Sorolla, William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Nicolai Fechin and the Russian Impressionists, DeWaard finds himself painting an array of subject matter from everyday life. The feelings he evokes in his paintings are due in part to the excitement and passion he feels while capturing the fleeting effects of light, or the wonderful color nuances and harmonies presented by nature and all of her beauty. DeWaard continues to travel throughout the United States as well as Italy and China. He has won numerous awards around the country in many of the top Plein Air Competitions including the coveted Artist Choice awards, Best of Show, along with a host of various other awards. He has spent many a summer day painting the Italian hillsides, American vistas, and beauty wherever it finds him. This has always been a contributing factor in his work, insight, inspiration and growth as an artist. After spending the last 14 years in Wisconsin, DeWaard has recently moved to Maine. After much thought and consideration, he and his wife along with their four young children decided on Hope, Maine, which is a neighboring town to Camden, mid-coast Maine, which is also where the Mountains Meet the Sea.