Ken McNeill Art

Thanks very much for taking a moment to visit my site. I hope you enjoy what you see. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments by email or on Facebook. I'm always happy to hear from you.    ~Ken

FEBRUARY 24, 2024   We're just a few days away from Carolina FiberFest!

I'm in the studio, painting and preparing for Carolina FiberFest, one big fiber party -- wool, silk, alpaca, llama, mohair, angora, plant fibers and more.

From spinning yarn to knitting, beading, crocheting, dyeing, felting, fiber prep and weaving, you’ll find it there with experts to guide you.

Workshops, talks, demos, vendors and contests mean there's something for everyone. Shopping, did I say shopping? Lots and lots of shopping.

I hope to see you there!

Carolina FiberFest
Friday, March 8 to Saturday, March 9, 2024
NC State Fairgrounds' Agri Supply Exposition Center
1025 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607


   ~ Ken

FEBRUARY 27, 2022   I'm back! A lot of life has happened since my last update. With that said, a lot of great things have happened at Ken McNeill Art. Even as Covid-19 continued to effect art events, 2021 was my best year to date. A big THANK YOU goes out to patrons of Ken McNeill Art, as well as my gallery representation at ARTworks Vass and through Sanford Brush and Palette Club.

I'm busy in the studio, painting and making preparations for Carolina Fiber Fest, to be held March 11-12 at the NC State Fairgrounds' Exposition Center. Event hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm both days. Hope to see you there!

  Thank you for supporting the arts,
  ~Ken




De-construction

AUGUST 4, 2018   Happy August! This month started with a large bang. My painting De-construction received a purchase award from the Fine Arts Festival organized by the Arts Council of Moore County! I had the pleasure of being present at the well-attended awards ceremony August 3.


Still available at the Festival, Olde Carthage Barn (below) is 12x9 inches on panel. Both landscapes were painted in oil, en plein aire at Olde Carthage Farm.


Olde Carthage Barn

Many pieces of beautiful, intriguing, inspiring and exciting art are on view at the Campbell House. You'll want to fill your home and office with them.

Fine Arts Festival
The Arts Council of Moore County
August 3 to August 30
Campbell House
482 E. Connecticut Ave
Southern Pines, NC


Thank you for supporting the arts!

   ~Ken





JULY 22, 2018   I'm happy to announce that my work is now represented by ARTworks Vass.

The gallery offers work by jewelry makers, sculptors, painters, potters, glass artists, wood crafters, fiber artists, mixed media artists and others. All work is juried in by a committee. In an interview with Southern Pines newspaper, The Pilot, gallery owner Jean Skipper said, "One of our missions [is] to introduce collectors to the stories and individuals behind each piece of artwork. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to foster relationships between artists, art lovers and our community at large.”

ARTworks Vass is not only a gallery. It's also a classroom and a studio for three working artists. Stop in to enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere where kindred spirits gather for inspiration, creativity and conversation. Look for updates about classes and events on Facebook.

You'll find Vass, NC, between Sanford and Southern Pines, just off US 1. That's a short drive from all points in Moore County and an hour south of Raleigh Durham International Airport. I invite you to visit our area. You'll love our art, dining, sightseeing, golf, horses and more.

ARTworks Vass
129 Main St
Vass, NC 28394

Hope to see you soon!

   ~Ken



JULY 20, 2018   Two wonderful art events are coming up soon, and I'll have work in both.

The Arts Council of Moore County will hold its annual Fine Arts Festival in August. Created in 1980 as incentive for local artists to improve their techniques, it offers a showcase for the public to enjoy art and for artists sell their work. The festival has since grown into a major exhibit featuring artists from all over the US. Entries are judged, and cash prizes and ribbons are awarded.

Fine Arts Festival
The Arts Council of Moore County
August 3 to August 30; opening reception August 3
Campbell House
482 E. Connecticut Ave
Southern Pines, NC


Also in August, The Artists Leagure of the Sandhills will open Small Gems of Art, a new exhibit featuring miniature and small works of art less than 8 x 10 inches.

Small Gems of Art
The Artists League of the Sandhills
August 3 to August 29, opening reception August 3
129 Exchange St
Aberdeen, NC


   ~Ken

MARCH 18, 2018   Just a few days until Carolina FiberFest! Here's a preview of some paintings that will be looking for new homes.

Carolina FiberFest is one big fiber party -- wool, silk, alpaca, llama, mohair, angora, plant fibers and more. From spinning yarn to knitting, crocheting, dyeing, felting, tatting and weaving, you’ll find it. Workshops, talks, demos, vendors, a raffle, contests. Make plans to be there!

Carolina FiberFest
Friday, March 23 to Saturday, March 24, 2018
Kerr Scott Building, NC State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607


   ~ Ken






FEBRUARY 17, 2018   New mugs arrived today. What do you think?

This mug design celebrates the breed of alpaca known as the huacaya. Its fleece is thick. dense and crimped, and very soft to touch. The fleece is prized by fiber artists for its light weight, excellent thermal qualities, and natural beauty.

Alpaca fiber spins beautifully, knits up and crochets with a soft hand, and is perfect for your weaving or felting projects.

The mug will be available for the first time at Carolina FiberFest in March 2018.

   ~Ken





FEBRUARY 14, 2018   Happy Valentine's Day! I finished the monster painting above in time to be a valentine for my wife. She loves it, and when she's happy, I'm happy!

   ~Ken


                                                         

FEBRUARY 8, 2018   My new mug design celebrates the breed of alpaca known as the huacaya. This alpaca's fleece is thick. dense and crimped, and very soft to touch. The fleece is prized by fiber artists for its light weight, excellent thermal qualities, and natural beauty.

With their floppy furry tufts, long slender necks, and big eyes, huaycayas are just the cutest, don't you think? Visit Carolina Alpaca Breeders and Owners for more info and adorable pics.

My alpaca mug will be availble for the first time at Carolina FiberFest, March 23 and 24 in Raleigh, NC. Get 'em before they're gone!

   ~Ken

ps - the painting in the previous post is finished, just in time for Valentine's Day! Fingers crossed that my wife will love it.





JANUARY 29, 2018   We're already a month into the New year. Hope everyone's holidays were filled with joy, good food, fellowship and family. Hope you had good weather, too! Here in Sanford, NC, January brought unusually cold weather and two 7.5 inch snowfalls. I hope wherever  you were and whatever weather you've had, you've been safe.

Between snow-shoveling shifts, I made more progress on the monster painting you see above. It is 60 inches x 40 inches and will hang above our fireplace when finished. It's my largest painting to date. This painting depicts a view from our living room.

Rounding out the end of 2017 was SAFF, Sanford Brush and Palette Club 53rd annual art show and Artists League of the Sandhills fall show. All three events were great! Thank you all for the wonderful support you've given at these events and others over the years. You're the reason I do these shows.

I'm excited about having my work in another gallery, the Miller Art Gallery in the Mann Center of North Carolina. Located in Sanford, the Miller Gallery showcases the best of local and regional artists of all media including pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, metal, fiber and more. Stop by and see the beautiful art.

I'm also gearing up for Carolina FiberFest March 23 and 24. I'll have lots of new paintings, prints and a new mug design.

   ~Ken





OCTOBER 27, 2017   SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair) opens today and runs through Sunday, October 29. If you're in the Asheville area or want to make a road trip, please come on by.

I've doubled my booth space this year and have many new paintings, prints and notecards. Look forward to seeing you!!

   ~Ken


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OCTOBER 16, 2017  It's been a blitz to get paintings started, paintings finished, cataloged, framed, photographed and wired for hanging. I have three major events coming up, starting with the Sanford Brush and Palette Club fall show. I'll have close to 30 paintings there. The show will run from Friday, October 20 through Saturday, October 28 at the Hale Center in Sanford, NC.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017   I'm adding a new notecard design to the collection. A detail of the painting Standoff went to the printer today. It will be available beginning in October at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF). Hope you like it!

   ~Ken





AUGUST 29, 2017   Move-in Day! I'm very excited to be offered studio space by the Artists League of the Sandhills! Yesterday I hauled in furniture and art supplies. The artists extended a warm welcome, answering my questions about the working environment. Camaraderie with kindred spirits will be inspiring. I'm eager to spend time there!


   ~Ken





AUGUST 20, 2017   Last week I delivered new work to the The Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery in Liberty, NC, which represents more than 100 artists and craftspeople. There, you'll find handmade baskets, garden sculpture, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, paintings and other original art. Enjoy a refreshing beverage while you shop for something special for yourself and for holiday gifts. My paintings, prints, notecards and mugs are available. Located in the heart of North Carolina, the gallery is an easy drive from Greensboro, Asheboro, Sanford, Siler City and the Triangle area.

   ~Ken



AUGUST 15, 2017   This spring and summer have been even busier than usual. My post will be a long one, catching up with news (most recent first).

 
Get ready because Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair will be here in no time! This will be my fourth SAFF as a vendor. What makes SAFF a special event? It's crowds of fiber crazies, fiber fumes, the community of vendors, fiber animals, classes, fiber demos -- all in one location. Each year, I create something new, available for the first time during SAFF.

Since moving to Sanford, NC, this year, I've joined two artists' groups -- Sanford Brush and Palette Club and Artists League of the Sandhills. Both offer gallery shows, workshops and other ways for artists and art lovers to come together.

Sanford Brush and Palette Club puts on spring and summer Plein Air Paint Outs. In April we spent a morning painting at a rustic farmhouse property, just the kind of landscape I love. In September, we'll take our brushes, paints and canvasses to Hawkins House a 100 year-old gem of Southern architecture. From October 21 through 28, the club will hold its 53rd Annual Art Show. Hundreds of new, original pieces of art by club members will be on display. Plan to stay awhile! You'll want talk with artists, participate in demos, purchase art for your home or office, shop for upcoming holidays and just soak up the creativity. This event is free for all and is family-friendly.

Artists League of the Sandhills (Aberdeen, NC)  is home to gallery spaces, workshop spaces and artists working in a variety of media. In its open, studio environment, 40 artists collaborate and the public can engage with them and see, firsthand, the creative process in action. Events include an artist-of-the-month show, along with other juried and non-juried exhibitions. I have three paintings in a current show, Small Gems of Art: An Exhibition of Small and Miniature Paintings, running July 28 through August 29. Stop in and look around! 

Carolina FiberFest 2017 was a wonderful event in March. The new location, the Kerr Scott building was ideal with lots of space for visitors, vendors, classes, demos. Ample, close parking offered easy access to the building. 2017 was my first year having a double booth. It was perfect, with extra room for visitors to shop. No more bumping elbows. And thank you, CFF organizers for the great booth location! Plans for the 2018 event are well undeway, with a return to the Kerr Scott building.

 

Thanks for hanging in there through this long post. Hope you've enjoyed it and hope to see you at an upcoming event!

~ Ken






MARCH 21, 2017   Carolina FiberFest is three days out! I'm painting, painting, painting! As you see in the above pic, I'll have lots of fiber animals plus something  different -- cows. Yes, cows. Ask me why when you visit my booth.

At Carolina FiberFest, you'll enjoy demonstrations of spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, crocheting, tatting and other fiber arts. Sign up for workshops, breathe fiber fumes and shop for beautiful and unique yarn, fiber, apparel and art. Attend free presentations.There's something for everyone.

Carolina FiberFest
Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25
Gov. Kerr Scott Building
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

I'll be in booth 27, near the front door. Hope to see you there!
   ~Ken






JANUARY 18, 2017   2017! Where did 2016 go? It's been crazy time since SAFF took place last October. With the busy season of Thanksgiving, Christmas and winter birthdays, my family and I decided to ramp up the busy-ness. In December, we moved to my old stomping grounds of Lee County, North Carolina, to be closer to my (very) large extended family. Even now we're still unpacking boxes and finding things we didn't know we had. Sound familiar?

It's all good, though, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and FOOD!

Last weekend I set up my studio to start new paintings for my next event, Carolina FiberFest. Thanks to the success of the 2016 event, CFF will take over the larger Gov. Kerr Scott Building at the NC State Fairgrounds. I'll have a double booth for the first time!

Carolina FiberFest
Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25
Gov. Kerr Scott Building
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
   ~Ken





OCTOBER 27, 2016   It's SAFF time! This will be my third SAFF as a vendor.What makes SAFF a special event? It's the crowds of fiber crazies, the fiber fumes, the community of vendors, the fiber animals, classes, fiber demos -- all in one location.

I put the final touches on my booth this morning, with paintings, prints, notecards and mugs. Each year, I create something new, available for the first time during SAFF. For 2016, I branched out into barn quilts for display in your home. Laying out the designs and painting them was great fun.

I'll be hanging out in booth 204, the Davis Arena. Hope you'll stop by for a chat.

Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
October 27-30
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
(just south of Asheville, NC)

   ~Ken





SKITTLES
20" x 10"   oil on canvas
sold




MARCH 17, 2016  My next event will be the tenth annual Carolina FiberFest! I'll have new paintings, prints and notecards for sale.

You'll enjoy demonstrations of spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, crocheting, tatting and other fiber arts. Sign up for workshops, breathe fiber fumes and shop for beautiful and unique yarn, fiber, apparel and art. Attend free presentations. Buy tickets for chances to win raffle prizes, including three of my matted prints.

Carolina FiberFest
Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26
Gov. James E. Holshouser Building
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hope to see you there!
   ~Ken




JANUARY 1, 2016   As a new year begins, I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who made 2015 a success. Whether you made a purchase, visited my website, liked a Facebook post, or encouraged me with a kind word, I appreciate your support.

I'm excited to see how 2016 unfolds!

Wishing you all the best!

   ~Ken




NOVEMBER 2, 2015   Another great experience at SAFF! Many thanks to the organizers and volunteers who work to make this an excellent event. And special thanks to everyone who visited my booth to chat, to ask questions and to shop. You are the reason I do this.

   ~Ken





OCTOBER 30, 2015  SAFF is here! I put the final touches on my booth this morning. Would love to meet you. I'll be hanging out in booth 204, the Davis Arena.

Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
October 30-31, November 1
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
(just south of Asheville, NC)

   ~Ken






OCTOBER 27, 2015  Notecard assembly line. These boxed sets and individual cards are available for the very first time. Get yours at SAFF!  

SAFF
October 30-31, November 1
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
(just south of Asheville, NC)

   ~Ken

   





OCTOBER 12, 2015  We're well into October and that can only mean one thing: SAFF is almost here! I'm in the studio, creating new paintings and prints just for SAFF. And I'll have the mugs and note cards you've been asking for. Look for my ad (pictured above in the SAFF program.

   ~Ken






SEPTEMBER 23, 2015  My next event will be the 2015 SouthEastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF). I am pleased to return for a second year as a vendor during three days of fun for the entire family!

See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, crocheting, along with fiber animals such as sheep, alpacas, llamas, goats and rabbits. Sign up for workshops, breathe in fiber fumes and enjoy shopping for beautiful and unique yarn, fiber, apparel and art.

SAFF
October 30-31, November 1
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
(just south of Asheville, NC)

Hope to see you there!
   ~Ken






AUGUST 23, 2015   I would like to thank everyone who came out to my reception on August 14 at Artistic Expressions. It was great to see the gallery buzzing with people enjoying the art, the fellowship and the great food.

Congrats to the nine winners of the mug giveaway.

Hope you all had a great time! Thanks for being there!

   ~Ken


AUGUST 11, 2015  *Reminder*

JULY 25, 2015   Save the Date!

JULY 12, 2015    New paintings are online. More sheep! More scenes from the northern Italian city of Bergamo! Look for them in my Country and Travel galleries.

I have several paintings in varying stages of completion. Hope to show them soon.

   ~Ken





JULY 4, 2015   Hope everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day!

   ~Ken


4 Catalog Cover Art Winne                
  

 

  



     



APRIL 6, 2015   HIstory Unwound was my first retreat-type show and I loved it. Kudos to hosts Kimberly and Christopher Villareal, Trish Marickovich and other hardworking souls for organizing this excellent, inaugural event.

I enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new folks. The Market Square offered a well-chosen collection of goodies for fiber crazies (you know who you are!). Unique yarn, spinning fiber, patterns, tools, accessories and art were abundant. And where else but Colonial Williamsburg would you find a fife and drum corps parading a convention center?

For a different perspective, read this post by PDXKnitterati (Michele Bernstein). She came all the way from Oregon to take classes and sit in on lectures. Michele is pictured above, holding a small sheep painting (second row of pics).

Many thanks to History Unwound and Tanya Holder Washburn for the use of their photos. Tanya and I go way back, waaay back, and I had the pleasure of meeting her husband Todd for the first time. Tanya is pictured above, with me (second row).

   ~Ken





MARCH 7, 2015   History Unwound will be in full swing by this time next Saturday. The above photo gives a sneak peek of small paintings in progress that I'm creating just for this event.

  
   ~Ken








MARCH 1, 2015   Happy March! It looks to be a busy month. I'm happy to be among the vendors invited to attend History Unwound, a three-day celebration of fiber history, discovery of and learning handcrafted textiles.

Held in Colonial Williamsburg, a center for historical textiles, the event features classes, demos and lectures (plus the opportunity to rub elbows with rock stars of the fiber world!).

You still have time to register -- the fun takes place March 13 to 15. Won't you join us?


   ~Ken




    

    

FEBRUARY 15, 2015   Artistic Expressions celebrated the evening before Valeintine's Day with a reception, Valentines at the Gallery. Red wine, chocolates and other goodies were enjoyed by those attending. The Gallery featured heart-themed art -- handmade creations especially suited for gift giving at Valentine's and throughout the year.

Thanks to everyone who came out on a cold winter night. Great seeing you!


   ~Ken






    

    

FEBRUARY 8, 2015   The Holly Springs Arts Festival Gala was a blast! Many thanks to the Holly Springs Arts Council for organizing this event. The fine art exhibit is on view through February 25. You still have time to see it!


   ~Ken








FEBRUARY 7, 2015  Tonight's the night! Feel the chill and sizzle of Winter Blues at the Third Annual Holly Springs Arts Festival Gala. My painting "Calabash in Blue--Docked for Winter" was chosen by jury selection for this exhibit.

Fine Art Exhibit    +    Art Auction    +    Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar    +    Live Music

Hope you'll join us!


   ~Ken

JANUARY 25, 2015   Happy New Year! (better late than never?) My apologies for being away so long. I'm nearly caught  up, after autumn events and the holidays, and looking forward to a couple events this spring. Stay tuned for details to come.

I offer my sincere thanks for making 2014 an amazing year for me. I appreciate your support through purchases, website visits, Facebook likes and kind words. You're the best!


   ~Ken







OCTOBER 21, 2014   Art ala Carte is coming to SAFF! I'll be working until (almost) the last moment before we leave on Thursday for SAFF. Lots of new work--I hope you'll like it. Look for me in the Sales Arena, booth 19.


   ~Ken








OCTOBER 20, 2014   Many thanks to members of Piedmont Fiber Guild for asking me to present at yesterday's meeting. I enjoyed meeting y'all and having the opportunity to talk art and fiber!

 
  ~Ken





OCTOBER 15, 2014   A few notes about fun, upcoming events:

Piedmont Fiber Guild in Gastonia, NC, invited me to speak at its October 19 gathering. What's the topic? I'll cover my painting (!) in general to painting fiber animals to my experience with this year's Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

The Piedmont Guild has been around since the 1970s, evolving from a weavers' guild to one that encompasses all aspects of fiber arts. I'm looking forward to meeting these folks!


Here's a sneak peek at my slideshow for the talk.





Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair will take place October 24-26, in Fletcher, NC (just south of Asheville). This year will be my first as a vendor., and we're putting the final touches on paintings and prints for the event. Look for me in booth 19 in the Sales Arena, next to Heelside Farms. Hope to see you there!



It's a busy time of year. That's a good thing.

   ~Ken







OCTOBER 8, 2014   Look for our ad in the current issue of PLY Magazine!

   ~Ken




OCTOBER 7, 2014   I am pleased to be a vendor at the 2014 SouthEastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF). Look for Heelside Farms and me in the Sales Arena!

SAFF
October 24-26
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732

Click for the SAFF event program. It opens as a PDF.

   ~Ken







OCTOBER 1, 2014   We had a blast at Rising Meadow Farm Fest. Many thanks to the event organizers and to everyone who attended. And we appreciate all the folks who visited our booth!


One of my favorite things about events like this is meeting people and hearing their stories. This is a coming-full-circle  story. A couple of years ago I was  commissioned to paint Hank, an angora bunny, and mascot of Two Knit Wits yarn shop. The shop owners' friends arranged for the painting; everything was done by phone, Internet and US mail.


The shop closed and Hank went to live in the owner's home. Alas, the woman discovered she is allergic to bunnies. Hank now has a new home. And, while she doesn't see the bunny any longer, the lady still has the painting. We met for the first time when she stopped by my booth at Rising Meadow!


Hank Da Bunny

   humming "It's a Small World..."
   ~Ken








SEPTEMBER 27, 2014   Wondering how Art ala Carte works? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.


   ~Ken







SEPTEMBER 26, 2014   The countdown is on for this year's Rising Meadow Farm Fest. We thought we'd tease you with pics from a couple years ago. (clockwise from left: sheep shearing with hand shears; sheep and llama; fibery goodness with something for everyone; live music!)

Heelside Farms and I have been working for months toward this event. And we are so ready! Plus Sunday's weather
forecast shows low 80's and partly sunny. Perfect!

 
  ~Ken










SEPTEMBER 24, 2014   Heelside Farms and I are so excited about Art ala Carte that we want to share a sneak peek with you.

Above, my painting, Fleece of Dreams, is paired with this coordinating hand-dyed, hand-carded batt for spinners. Heelside's Carolyn Beasley did a beautiful job with the colors.

Only a few more days till Art ala Carte becomes available at Rising Meadow Farm Fest.


   ~Ken

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014   I'll be at Rising Meadow Farm this Sunday for the twelfth annual Rising Meadow Farm Fest. A celebration of fiber and food, it features fiber animals, sheep dog demos, a sheep shearing demo, live music and great food. Fine artists and artisans will have unique and beautiful wares for sale. It's a fun, family-friendly event.

Art ala Carte will available for the first time! Be sure to get yours. Look for it (and me) at the Heelside Farms booth.

11am to 4pm
Sunday, September 28

Rising Meadow Farm
3750 Williams Dairy Road
Liberty, NC 27298


   ~Ken




SEPTEMBER 21, 2014   Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair gave me a mention on its Facebook page today. Thank you! I'm excited about being a first-time vendor at this event, held Octobe 24-26 at Western NC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC (just south of Asheville).


   ~Ken

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014   Heelside Farms and I are teaming up to bring you Art ala Carte, a unique collaboration inspired by the love of color and fiber. Heelside’s newest line of exclusively dyed yarns and hand-carded batts puts the vibrant palette of my paintings at your fingertips.Knitters, spinners, crocheters, felters and weavers will delight in creating their own works of art.

With Art ala Carte, you’ll select one or more of my works and pair that with coordinating yarns and/or batts. Think bold gold, bedazzled blue, café au lait, fresh lime and other colors to create one-of-a-kind handspun yarn, a lovely shawl, cushy socks, an heirloom afghan.

Home to a spinner’s flock since 2002, Heelside Farms offers a wonderful variety of fiber goodies from their  Border Leicester, Finn, Icelandic and Cormo sheep. You’ll fall in love with blends of their wool combined with mohair, alpaca, angora and silk. Heelside offers a complete range of fleeces and locks, spinning fiber and yarns, in natural as well as hand-dyed colors, for all your fiber needs.

Art ala Carte will be available for a limited time, beginning Sunday, September 28 at Rising Meadow’s Farm Fest. Be sure to get yours!


   ~Ken






    

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014  Here's a look inside my studio and some paintings I'm working on. You'll notice I'm adding to the flock!

  
~Ken








SEPTEMBER 5, 2014    Heelside Farms and I are pleased to announce Art ala Carte, a unique collaboration inspired by the love of color and fiber. Follow the link to Heelside's website for a sneak peek!


  ~Ken





SEPTEMBER 1, 2014   My time as Artistic Expressions' Artist of the Month was a pleasure. Thank you for supporting the arts!


   ~Ken







    

   

AUGUST 17, 2014   Thanks, everyone, for the great turnout at my reception last weekend

at Artistic Expressions. We had an awesome time, looking at art, talking about art and

connecting with others. I enjoyed seeing family, friends, neighbors, fellow artists and many

new faces. Thanks also to my darling wife for the sweet and savory treats and to Sloan

Mountain Vineyards and Winery for the delicious wines. We'll have to do it again!


My paintings will be featured by Artistic Expressions through the month of August. And I'll be

at the gallery on August 30, from 10 am to 4 pm. Hope you'll stop in to visit.


   ~Ken





   

AUGUST 1, 2014   Throughout August, I will be the Artist of the Month at Artistic Expressions

in my hometown, Fuquay Varina, NC. My work is featured in the gallery's front window as well as

being displayed inside. I'm excited to offer new paintings and prints. I hope you'll like them.



I invite you to join me from 6 to 9pm on Friday, August 8 for a reception celebrating art with wine,

cheese, fellow artists and engaging conversation. Great wines will be provided by Sloan Mountain

Vineyards and Winery of Sanford, NC.


ETA: Made the Southwest Wake News, print and online!

Hope to see you at the gallery!
  
   ~Ken

     

      

    

     

MAY 13, 2014   Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival wowed us. My wife and I toured vendor barns, sheep barns and

outside vendor areas and met so many talented, generous and friendly people. Something or someone amazed us at

every turn. I appreciate having been a small part of it.

The purchase of Festival merchandise helps to ensure future events. Thank you for showing your support in this way.

And special thanks to everyone who asked to have their items signed. I enjoyed talking with each of you.

Best,
  
   ~Ken

APRIL 6, 2014   Carolina FiberFest was a blast! With everything to please

spinners, knitters, crocheters, weavers and more, the festival celebrated its

eighth year of fibery goodness. I enjoyed catching up with longtime friends

and meeting new folks. The ladies in the photo traveled together to the event,

 and they each purchased a B-ewe-tiful Family print to hang in their fiber arts

workrooms. Thank you, and thanks also to Heelside Farms for sharing its

booth with me.

   ~Ken







March 14, 2014   Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival rolled out its 2014 art,

featuring my painting You Want It, We Got It, Come Get It. This will be printed

on the catalog cover, t-shirts, mugs, bags, stationery, posters and more!

 

Visit the Festival's website and follow on Facebook for event details.

 
Many thanks to the Festival for choosing my work.
  
   ~Ken

March 11, 2014   We lost Brindy, our first whippet, two years ago this

 

month. The painting is for my wife, in memory of him.

 
Love your dogs,
  
   ~Ken





    

FEBRUARY 14, 2014   Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! The above painting

Yin and Yang features our family's whippets, Maisy and Isobel. It's a valentine to

my wife, who took the photo. People frequently ask how we get them to pose

for the camera. The answer is that we have nothing to do with it; they are the

ultimate snugglers!


Have a great heart day,
  
   ~Ken





FEBRUARY 2, 2014   My painting You Want It, We Got It, Come

Get It was chosen as grand prize winner of the 2014 Maryland Sheep

& Wool Festival cover art competition! The painting will be featured on

the catalog cover, t-shirts, bookmarks, bags, stationery, posters and more!


Sorry, no pics to share, but you can follow the reveal on the Festival's

Facebook page.


With a huge grin,

  ~Ken





DECEMBER 31, 2013   As 2013 draws to a close, I'd like to express

my sincere thanks to everyone who made the year a success for me.

Whether you purchased a painting or print, visited my website, liked a

Facebook post, or encouraged me with a kind word, I appreciate your

support. I'm excited to see how 2014 unfolds!


Wishing you all the best,

  ~Ken







NOVEMBER 8, 2013   I was pleased to be one of three artists

invited to participate in Fuquay Varina Arts Council's "Let There

Be Art" masquerade paint-off and art auction. My painting of a hay

field is shown here. It was a fun night of fundraising for a great cause.

  ~Ken




APRIL 27, 2013   Windsor Point Retirement Community

in Fuquay Varina, NC, invited me to attend its Garden Party (!)

where I enjoyed meeting residents, their family and friends.

The spring weather was ideal for getting out the oils and

brushes, and I painted a couple en plein air pieces.

  ~Ken

 

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012   I am pleased to be a sponsor

 

of Triangle Yarn Crawl (October 13 and 14), a fun

 

event for anyone who enjoys the fiber arts and even

 

those who think they don't!

 

 

The Crawl kickoff will be hosted by Warm 'n Fuzzy

 

yarn shop October 13 in Cary, NC.

 

  ~Ken

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012   Many thanks to author Allie Pleiter

 

who mentioned my paintings on her blog, DestiKNITions.

 

Allie was in North Carolina this past May and visited my

 

booth at Carolina FiberFest.

 

  ~Ken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUGUST 27, 2012   The portrait of Hank da Bunny was

 

recently commissioned by a client for the birthday of a yarn

 

shop owner. Hank is an Angora rabbit and the mascot

 

of Two Knit Wits in Oak Ridge, NC. Happy Birthday!

 

 

   ~Ken

 

 

 

 

 

                   

 

JULY 30, 2012   I am pleased to announce that my work may now

 

be seen at Cary, NC's new yarn shop, Warm n' Fuzzy I Yarn Love.

   ~Ken

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

JULY 9, 2012   The portraits of Bel (left) and Lexi were recently

 

commissioned by a client for his wife's surprise birthday gift.

 

I hope she enjoys them as much I liked painting them.

 

   ~Ken

 

 

 

 

 

 

JULY 3, 2012   I am pleased to announce that my work may now

 

be seen at The Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery, Liberty, NC.

 

Many thanks to Renee Miller for the referral and to Gail Morgan,

 

gallery owner, for handling the details.

 

   ~Ken 

    

 

    

 

MARCH 31, 2012   I would like to thank my family, friends and

 

fellow artists who attended the opening reception on March 30

 

for the month-long Spring Plein Air Art show at Waverly Artist

Group. It was a great night! A big thanks also goes to the

 

gallery for hosting the show and providing this opportunity.

 

   ~Ken 

 

 

 

BARN & COTTON FIELD, Burke Farm, Lee County, NC
oil on wood panel, 12"W x 9"H

MARCH 26, 2012   Waverly Artists Group Studio & Gallery

 

will present Plein Air fromMarch 30 through April 23. Ben Williams,

 

former curator of the North Carolina Museum of Art, judged the

 

work of twenty artists, including my Barn & Cotton Field. The

 

gallery will host a reception on Friday, March 30, 6 to 9 pm.

 

You're invited!

 

 

I appreciate your interest and hope you'll visit my website often.

 

Look for new paintings as they come off the easel. And, always,

 

feel free to contact me.

 

   ~Ken

 

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