Artist Statement

“As a representational painter, I am always looking for a balance of painterliness with detail, depicting the essence of the motif against areas more understated. Watercolor offers the ability for pigments to intermingle after applying washes and it has relative ease to put something down in shorthand. In my approach, I avoid using formulas and instead work as a journey where I can explore the possibilities while making a connection with the audience. In recent years I’ve enjoyed creating more landscapes. My sense is most awakened to waterfront scenes for their meditative serene quality. I also have an affinity for rural scenes that may show some sign of a man-made structure. Not only will it suggest something of the time and place, but add interest to compositional geometry. In addition, I strive to portray a fresh viewpoint of forgotten lifestyles without becoming too sentimental. Among my favorite areas that I frequent are Martha’s Vineyard and Buck’s County along the Delaware River. The art itself can be viewed as a beautiful product of a greater journey of one’s growth through seeing, interpreting and experiencing the world.”

– Ken Hamilton

Biography

Originally from Washington State, Ken C Hamilton showed an affinity for art at an early age while looking over the shoulder of his father an accomplished artist as he worked on commissions. Ken’s formal training began at Spokane Falls College, Seattle’s New School of Visual Concepts and then continued at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Dick Brown in Seattle and painter Daniel Schwartz made a lasting impression in Ken’s studies. After working many years as an illustrator he yearned for more self-expression to suffuse his percepts with effect.

Since Pursuing his primary passion in fine art for the last 25 years, Ken’s work has appeared widely in juried gallery and museum exhibitions winning numerous awards and honors. He has received local, national and international recognition for his varied distinctive painting approaches which convey mood and atmosphere. By special invitation, he participated in showing in the Shanghai and Qingdao International Exhibitions in China and was honored to have the Qingdao Museum purchase his work for their permanent collection. As a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, his work was selected with 30 other artists for their prestigious Traveling Show touring the USA for twelve months. He has also exhibited at the Signature American Watermedia Exhibition in Fallbrook, California. As an elected member and former president of the New Jersey Water Color Society Ken is a Silver Medal of Honor recipient. He frequently exhibits at the Salmagundi non-member show and has shown regularly as a signature member at the Hudson Valley Art Association and the American Artist Professional League as an elected member. His distinct paintings are collected privately and by corporations throughout the country.


2022 New Brunswick Art Salon, Watercolor and Mixed Media ” After the Charm: In the Name of Autumn” Exhibition



Past Exhibition _2012

Small Work 

 

Education

  • Associate in Applied Science, Professional Diploma in Art, Spokane Falls College 1975
  • Professional Art Diploma New School of Visual Concepts, Seattle 1978

Extended Studies

Mario Cooper, Jack Potter, Frank Webb, Daniel Schwartz, Alvaro Castagnet Art Students League of New York, School of Visual Arts, Parsons New School for Design

Exhibitions

  • 2022 Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
  • 2022 New Jersey Water Color Society, Virtual
  • 2022 Hudson Valley Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
  • 2022 Salmagundi Non-Member Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2021 New Jersey Water Color Society, Virtual
  • 2021 Hudson Valley Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
  • 2021 American Artist Professional League, New York, NY
  • 2020  New Jersey Water Color Society, Virtual
  • 2020  Hudson Valley Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
  • 2019 The American Artists Professional League, New York, NY
  • 2019 Salmagundi Non-Member Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2019 Hudson Valley Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
  • 2018 New Jersey Water Color Society, Middletown, NJ
  • 2018 Chester Library, Chester, NJ
  • 2018 Salmagundi Non-Member Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2017 Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
  • 2017 The American Artists Professional League, New York, NY
  • 2017 New Jersey Water Color Society, Middletown. NJ
  • 2016 Signature American Water Media Exhibit, Fallbrook, CA
  • 2016 The American Artists Professional League, New York, NY
  • 2015 Salmagundi Non-Member Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2014 Qingdao International Watercolor Exhibition, China
  • 2014 New Jersey Art Center, Madison, NJ
  • 2014 Salmagundi Non-Member Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2014 Hudson Valley Art Association, New York, NY
  • 2013 New Jersey Water Color Society, Middletown, NJ
  • 2013 Chester Library, Chester, NJ
  • 2012 Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
  • 2012 National Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibit, USA
  • 2012 Chester Library, Chester, NJ
  • 2012 New Jersey Art Centre, West Caldwell, NJ
  • 2011 National Watercolor Society, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2010 Bouras Properties Exhibit, Summit, NJ
  • 2010 Shanghai International Watercolor Exhibition, China
  • 2010 Salmagundi Non-Member Juried Exhibition
  • 2010 New Jersey Art Centre, Clifton, NJ
  • 2010 New Jersey Water Color Society, Noyes Museum, NJ
  • 2009 National Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2009 New Jersey Water Color Society, Clifton, NJ
  • 2009 Salmagundi Non-Member Juried Exhibition, New York, NY
  • 2009 Art Centre of New Jersey, Summit, NJ
  • 2008 New Jersey Water Color Society, Ridgewood, NJ
  • 2008 New Jersey Art Centre, Clifton Arts Center, NJ
  • 2008 New Jersey Water Color Society, Shrewsbury, NJ
  • 2007 National Watercolor Society, Sherman Oaks, CA
  • 2007 New Jersey Water Color Society, Monmouth Museum, NJ
  • 2007 New Jersey Art Centre, Summit, NJ
  • 2006 Hudson Valley Art Association, New York, NY
  • 2006 New Jersey Water Color Society, Monmouth Museum, NJ
  • 2006 Art Centre of New Jersey, Crains Mill, NJ
  • 2005 New Jersey Watercolor Society, Ridgewood, NJ
  • 2005 Port of Call Gallery, Warwick, NY
  • 2004 New Jersey Art Centre, Morristown, NJ
  • 2004 New Jersey Water Color Society, Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ
  • 2003 New Jersey Art Centre, Madison, NJ
  • 2003 New Jersey Water Color Society, Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ                                            
  • 2002 Ridgewood Art Institute Open Exhibition, Ridgewood, NJ
  • 2002 New Jersey Water Color Society, Monmouth Museum, NJ
  • 2002 New Jersey Art Centre, Roseland, NJ
  • 2002 Avila Fine Arts Exhibition and Auction, Sterlingbrook Farm, NJ
  • 2001 New Jersey Water Color Society, East Hanover, NJ
  • 2001 New Jersey Art Centre, Morristown, NJ
  • 2000 New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ
  • 2000 New Jersey Art Centre, Roseland, NJ
  • 1999 20/20 Gallery, New York, NY
  • 1999 New Jersey Art Centre, New Brunswick, NJ

Awards

  • 2022 Hudson Valley Art Association, Ridgewood Art Institute Award
  • 2020 New Jersey Water Color Society, Ludlow Thorston Memorial Award
  • 2020 Hudson Valley Art Association, Joan Rudman Award
  • 2017 New Jersey Water Color Society, Nummie Warga Memorial Award
  • 2015 Salmagundi Non-Member Juried Exhibition, Seascape Award
  • 2014 New Jersey Art Centre, Award for Excellence
  • 2014 Salmagundi Non-Member Juried Exhibition, Winsor Newton Award
  • 2013 New Jersey Water Color Society, M. Lawrence Founders Award
  • 2012 New Jersey Art Centre, Best in Show
  • 2010 Exhibitor by Special Invitation, Shanghai International Exhibition, China
  • 2010 Salmagundi Non-Member Juried Exhibit, Thomas Moran Memorial Award
  • 2010 New Jersey Art Centre, Best in Show
  • 2009 New Jersey Water Color Society Members Exhibit, Strathmore Award
  • 2009 Art Centre of New Jersey, Best in Show
  • 2009 New Jersey Water Color Society, Award for Excellence
  • 2008 New Jersey Water Color Society, The Silver Medal of Honor
  • 2008 New Jersey Art Centre, Second Place
  • 2008 New Jersey Water Color Society, Award for Excellence
  • 2008 Art Centre of New Jersey, Merit Award
  • 2007 New Jersey Water Color Society, Norman Webb Memorial Award
  • 2007 Art Centre of New Jersey, Best in Show
  • 2006 New Jersey Water Color Society, Sylvax Scientific Award
  • 2006 New Jersey Water Color Society, Award for Excellence
  • 2005 New Jersey Water Color Society, Nummie Warga Memorial Award
  • 2004 Art Centre of New Jersey, Merit Award
  • 2004 Art Centre of New Jersey, Second Place
  • 2003 Art Centre of New Jersey, First Place
  • 2002 Hunterdon County Educational Foundation, First Place
  • 2002 Art Centre of New Jersey, Honorable Mention
  • 2001 Art Centre of New Jersey, First Place
  • 2000 New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Honorable Mention
  • 2000 New Jersey Art Centre, Honorable Mention

Associations

  • New Jersey Water Color Society, Elected Member (former President)
  • National Watercolor Society, Signature Member
  • Hudson Valley Art Association, Signature Member
  • American Artist Professional League, Elected Member

Artist Contact: KENandINK@verizon.net

Artist Website: https://www.kenchamilton.com/