MIMI Painting

About the Artist Ken Claes was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, served in the US Air Force, and earned his degree in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University in 1973. While attending LTU, Ken was the first-place recipient of the inaugural and prestigious Michigan Masonry Institute Student Architects Design Competition. At LTU, he also studied watercolor and pastel with R. Darrow Champlin and Max Wright. After becoming a Licensed Architect, he worked in the construction industry while maintaining his interest in art, painting and drawing. Ken's work is displayed and enjoyed in the homes of numerous local collectors. Now retired, Ken renewed his interest in art and attended classes and lectures at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, and the Scarab Club, studying with Vianna Szabo, Amy Foster, Leslie Masters, Dan Keller, & Clinton Snider. He also has studied with Golsa Yaghoobi and Todd Burroughs at the Atelier Art Studio, Royal Oak. Ken continues painting full time at his home and studio in Michigan, painting mainly with oil on interpretative figurative works, interpretative portraiture, and participating in juried shows. Ken finds inspiration from interesting people found everywhere within the cityscape, observing their dynamic work and leisure life, almost overwhelming his “ideas file” with poses, vistas, and themes. Source ideas also arrive by studying our past Masters special command of light and color, leading to his continuing quest of designing art with IMPACT and a 21st century “look”. CONTACT: 248--752-3519