About the Artist

JUST GETTING STARTED, A NEW CAREER

I am a California native (bay area) who is just now getting started as an oil painter. I did some art ( watercolor ) back in high school in the sixties. After HS I worked in the home construction business until I got a draft notice for Viet Nam. I joined the US Navy, served on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation #64. Back as a civilian I decided to learn a trade as a machinist for about thirty years.  I have nothing to show for all those years of work. My other hobby was building and restoring very old cars called "Hot Rods", it's a very expensive hobby and a lot of hard work. My wife is glad my art doesn't take so much money and space. All that time in my heart was the desire to make art that other people could enjoy and make something beautiful you can hang on the wall. I wish it was plan "A" instead of plan "B" or "C". I was busy with life and family, art wasn't on my mind, until my neighbor introduced me to her brother who is a Plein Air painter, I thought to myself I do want to do this and I'm not getting any younger. I don't have any formal training in art, I learn by trial and error and watching videos on youtube. I did take a painting class by a local artist Ray Mendieta  ( raysart.com ) I knew in the back of my mind a lot of what he taught but wasn't aware of it. Anybody in the SF bay area, if you could use some help, he is a very good instructor and his fees are reasonable.   I have been able to get very good at whatever I put my heart into, I know art will be the same, just keep learning and practicing. My only showings so far have been for family and friends. I have a  side goal to earn extra money to help my  kids and grand kids with some of life's expenses and college.  Check back often for more art, and PLEASE make some comments on my Email. I want to share anything that I can to help any new artist, just ask. PS I just entered my first online contests August 2019 wish me luck.

       Ken Wallace         [email protected]