Artist Bio
I am a native Floridian, born in 1952 in St. Petersburg, Florida. My
grandfather, John Samuel Kah, was born in Georgia and moved to Tampa
Bay area, where he practiced commercial photography. My father learned
photography from my grandfather and later worked with The St.
Petersburg Times' print departments where he learned skills in
photo-engraving. My mother worked in their studio, hand coloring their
prints. I was surrounded by family who were engaged in the photography,
printmaking and visual arts in some fashion.
At age eight, I
developed a serious interest in drawing, particularly wildlife and in
high school studied privately with a professional muralist S. Rosvear
Burton. While attending Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, I pursued
private study with sculptor Leslie T. Posey. Since graduating, I have
taught in diverse settings including Arrowmont School, John C. Campbell
Folk School, Montreal College and UNC-Asheville. Arrangements for
workshops or private classes can be made by contacting me by phone or
email.
Currently, I teach still-life and landscape painting, at
the Fine Arts League of Asheville, a school of Classical Realism
founded by Ben Long. I have always maintained my own studio, where I
conduct weekly classes. In addition, I accept private commissions and I
am represented by 16 Patton Gallery in Asheville and Beaufort Fine Art,
Beaufort, NC. Giclee Prints, in limited editions, are available for
selected works, for resale through Long Branch Studios, Framing Arts,
Hendersonville; Design Gallery, Burnsville; and Merrimon Galleries,
Asheville.
Landscape paintings on location and wildlife subjects
are primary interests. I work primarily in oils and acrylics. My
painting can be described as 2Oth century naturalism.
My wife and I live in Swannanoa, NC. We have two adult daughters.
