Ken Barnes, a Williamsport native and Montoursville resident, began painting as a hobby for his own enjoyment. Ken worked primarily in pen and ink until 1999 when he developed a desire to work with oils. Under the tutelage of noted area artist Robert Marks, Ken learned how to paint what he sees, not what he thinks he sees! Ken mixes his paints with only refined linseed oil and can usually finish a painting at one sitting.
“I was first inspired to paint by the amazing work by the impressionists such as Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Caillebotte. They had such control with just the exact color balanced with just the right brush strokes. You were held captive by their paintings and needed to study them for hours. That’s what I wanted to achieve and continue to draw inspiration from these fantastic masters of color.”
Previously published as a comic and cartoon artist, Barnes has now embarked on a series of Jazz portraits. Ken is fascinated with the legends of Jazz and paying tribute to them on canvas is a way to say thanks for their great influence and legacy. Ken also draws inspiration from being a musician himself and appreciates the dedication, creativeness and hard work these legends have given of themselves to attain their status.
“These legends have laid down such rich history in their music. They were trailblazing and re-inventing music all for the love of their music. They each had visions of what music could be and how it should be played. These musicians I have chosen to capture their spirit, energy and love of Jazz. I try and capture the essence of each musician by using just the right colors, light and shade and other subtleties to express and create a certain mood. I enjoy being an expressionist painter in an impressionistic style. What inspires me to continue to paint is my love of being creative and expressive. If an idea of expression can be communicated through my paintings, then that is a measure of success.”
Ken was a member of the Coalition of Independent Artists & Artisans, the Pennsylvania Guild, currently a member of the Bald Eagle Art League and has served on the board of the Lycoming Arts Council. He has shown his paintings at “World in Motion” Art Show , the 1st Annual “Downtown Arts Festival”, a one-man show at the historic Peter Herdic House, and the juried 1st Annual Susquehanna Art Exhibit at the Thomas T Taber Museum all in Williamsport.. His published pen and ink work has appeared in national newspapers and magazines. His Jazz portrait series has led to the published Limited Edition giclee prints of Nina Simone, George Benson, Jimmy Garrison, Kenny Dorham and John Coltrane.
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