Still painting at 80!
KEN WENZEL was born in Brisbane in September 1930. He has called Maleny home for well over thirty years and has been a major exhibitor at the Montville Art Gallery for nearly as long.
“They’ll have to carry me away in a box,” Ken told us. “I find constant inspiration from the magnificent scenery surrounding my home and studio on the crest of the Conondale Range, but I also enjoy visiting the many magnificent beaches here on the Sunshine Coast. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to transfer onto canvas a scene I have experienced and enjoyed.”
“No other artists capture Jacaranda and Poinciana trees quite like Ken,” said Lisa Powell, long time manager of the Montville Art Gallery.
“His realist paintings of the Glasshouse Mountains are exceptional and extremely popular with interstate and overseas visitors,” Lisa added.
Ken has had numerous battles with illness but always manages to bounce back. He is not permitted to fly so he travels extensively by car in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“I relish the challenge of capturing the colours after a long hot summer, or the magic hues of spring, as ‘Salvation Jane’ covers the hillsides.”
In the year 2000, Ken self published a beautiful coffee table book, “The Many Facets of artist – Kenneth Wenzel”
“I felt I wanted to share my life,” Ken told us. “I did most of the writing on the beach and gradually built up the story in much the same way as I develop a painting.”
“Ken’s book has 44 colour plates of his favourite paintings showing him not only as a multi-talented artist but as an extremely competent photographer as well,” said gallery owner, Tony Page. “We are thrilled that he has agreed to be our feature artist in September to coincide with his eightieth birthday. Ken will be at the gallery on Sunday, September 12 to sign copies of his book and to chat to customers about his paintings.”
Open daily from 10am to 5pm, the Montville Art Gallery is located at 138 Main Street, Montville, opposite the Village Green.
Ken’s paintings will also be featured under “Exhibitions” on the gallery’s website: www.montvilleartgallery.com.au from September 1.
February 2nd, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Dear ,Lisa Powel
Do you have any more of coffe table book by KEN WENZEL,{ manny facets of artist}
and how much is it?
Thank you
Jim Gurdil
February 2nd, 2011 at 10:39 pm
i am interested in ken wenzel
March 1st, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hi Ken, my Dad bought one of your paintings in the late 70s/early 80s called Point Perry Coolum, dated 1974. My parents were smokers, so your beautiful painting has not aged well. Since my parents died I’ve had no place to hang it in our rental property, so it lies under my bed. Such a waste! If you know of anyone who is willing to pay a reasonable price but would appreciate your incredible painting, please let me know. 0413 029 537