Observation of your surroundings is one thing, to sit and gaze at the sky and soak in the atmosphere is great, but the role of the artist is more than just this, it is to demonstrate what makes the place “tick”. What are the key emotions that are generated? How can these best be presented in a composition to create the right feel? What creates the mood of the place? Is it the history, is the influence felt from pre-made opinions, or what is coming out of the surrounding atmosphere at the time you are there. What about the use of light and tone, what about medium being used? What is the importance of these elements in the composition?

The mind begins to spin when you try to rationalise these ideas into something which is formulated in charcoal and pigment.

It is the unknown into which you explore. It is the potential to sometimes grasp something special in pigment which may not necessarily be easy to quantify in words. This is the fun of painting

Ken was born in Brisbane in 1960 and is currently living on the North Coast of NSW.

Many of Kens works combine a carefully constructed subject with vigorous application of pigment. Movement is paramount with the observer lead around the composition following the textures and shadows developed within the structure. The suggestion of detail will often be used in lieu of specific detail, the suggestions being used to support the subject but not detract with over-complexity. He has been described as a “colourist” and an “impressionist”, a combination of both resulting in a unique approach to creative artwork.

Ken has been painting for over 25 years and is developing increased recognition for his work both Nationally and Internationally. He has participated in over 38 exhibitions over this period including 24 solo, and is a regular contributor to Australian and International Artist Magazines.

He paints almost exclusively using the oil medium.

Publications
Contributions to Australian Artist and International Artist magazine over the last 12 years including the following articles

July 1992 Australian Artist – Use Colour to Enhance Your Composition
September 1994 Australian Artist - Water Can Be Any Colour You Like
September 1997 Australian Artist - Let Yourself Go With Oils
December 1998 International Artist Magazine - Australian Showcase
November 1999 Australian Artist – Building Character With Lashings of Colour
December 1999 Australian Artist – Building Character With Lashings of Colour (Part 2)
October 2000 International Artist – Open Interpretation
March 2002 Dramatising Scenes Using Water
Feb 2004 Artists Palette Magazine - No 29 The Wonders of Water
June 2004 International Artist
August 2006 Australian Artist


Career Focus

Exhibitions have been the primary outlet for his works since the first solo exhibition in 1988 in Kendall, NSW, Australia. A legacy of these exhibitions has been a significant number of commissions through private galleries. A continuous presence of work is maintained in a number of galleries. International exposure in recent years has proven extremely successful with promotional work continuing in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.


Collection Representation

Works are currently held in numerous private and corporate collections in Australia, The United States of America and Canada following exhibitions held in these locations over the past 19 years. Further commissions have resulted from these exhibitions.

Works also held in collections in the United Kingdom, Germany and The Netherlands following promotional work in these countries over the past 5 years.

A substantial quantity of works completed on subjects from these locations, mainly United Kingdom and the Netherlands, have been featured in exhibitions in Australia and overseas exhibitions. A particular focus on Cornwall, Northern Scotland and Amsterdam have featured in a number of these exhibitions.

Recent times has seen a change in focus towards Italy with several exhibitions featuring works based from Tuscany and Venice.

A series of works based on American institutions including the Whitehouse, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson memorial, the Washington Monument are currently hanging in major corporate institutions in Washington DC.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the above artwork by Ken Strong or organising a commissioned work, please phone the gallery on +61 2 4926 3899, email us at mail@cookshill.com or complete our Art Interest Form.