By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times
New! “Glacier Haus Gallery” opened on December 1, 2024 at the invitation of Charles Barker, owner of Glacier House Restaurant in Government Camp, OR. The “Around the Mountain” show features Portland artists Ken and Nancy Klos.“We are thrilled to share with you our oil paintings from the last five years of painting en plein air in the surrounding areas of Mount Hood National Forest!” This unique showing will run through April 1 (with a possible extension into May).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Through January 5, 2025
Winter Hours after the
Holidays: From Jan 6 on: Thurs. 4 p.m.- 9 p.m. Fri. 11.30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
***MLK Day Jan. 20 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Plein Air painting is a French term meaning “open air” on location. This is a practice of painting outdoors, capturing landscapes in natural light, color and seasonal changes. Artists pack their easels, paints and tools to work on location to embrace the wild beauty of nature. What better place to follow the beauty of the natural world than in the great Pacific Northwest? The huge country surrounding Mount Hood provides endless inspiration for artists Ken and Nancy Klos.
This exhibition showcases their five year retrospective of Plein Air paintings created within a 100 mile radius of Mount Hood. These works depict the lavender fields in The Fruit Loop Trail, intimate waterfalls along the Old Highway, sweeping vistas of the Columbia River Gorge and majestic views of Mount Hood in both states of Oregon and Washington.
Nancy and Ken bring individual artistic perspectives to their artwork. As an architect, Ken views his subject matter through proportion and structure. “I paint scenes of our regional landscape that I appreciate, with which I feel a connection. Whether it’s a farmhouse in a field, a distant view of Mount Hood above Portland or a cluster of trees on the shore of the Columbia River — they all relate to the good I see in the environment…things that are worth keeping whole.”
Nancy focuses on color, texture and patterns in the landscape. She often paints a full composition and then creates a smaller section in another painting featuring abstraction in the details. “Lyrical and organic lines, shapes and form have always fascinated me — there are no straight lines in nature. Curvilinear lines, spirals, layers of texture define the complexity of nature. My works are very textured as I paint with both brush and palette knife to achieve layers of color and pattern.”
Nancy continues, “Ken has a classical approach and style. He often begins with a quick sketch then works in layers in his brushwork. I use six to ten minimal lines to establish my composition, then apply direct paint with the palette knife — drawing and sketching with paint. I have a background in Fiber Arts. Specifically French Pictorial Tapestry. I began learning dye work at an early age. Color is the language I continually study no matter the medium.”
How do they navigate the challenges of working side by side? Once they arrive at their destination they walk, talk and sketch before setting up for the day. They have an agreement when it comes to critique, and review of any works in progress (WIP). They ask each other to look at the painting with the request not to comment unless the person who painted wants feedback. This gives space for each painter to take the time to talk or think out loud about the next steps, areas that need changing, how they might want to finish. “The nice thing is that my goals may not be the same as Nancy’s,” Ken says, “What I look for in my painting might be different than what she sees in her own.”
Ken and Nancy Klos have participated for many years in Plein Air festivals throughout the PNW: Camas, Wa.; Whidbey Island, Wa.; Bainbridge Island, Wa.; Smith Rocks, Or.; PNW Plein Air Festival in Or. & Wa.; The Annual Oregon Lavender Festival, to name a few. Painting with others is a great way to learn. When they travel they always like to bring along a sketchbook & watercolors.
To purchase original paintings, explore commissions, attend workshops & shows. contact: nancyklos@gmail.com or visit www.ateliernangallery.com. To learn more about painting commissions and architectural design contact: kenklosarch@gmail.com.
All paintings are for sale in the “Around the Mountain” show at The Glacier Haus Gallery. “We support World Central Kitchen with a portion of the proceeds.”
The Holiday Mercantile is set up on the weekends with: art print products such as prints, gift cards, coasters, puzzles. Nancy blogs and posts times and dates each week on her site.
“We look forward to meeting you on the mountain! Please plan to join us this winter. Thank you.”