"If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint" Edward Hopper
BIOGRAPHY
Kenn Erroll Backhaus Born 1951
Kenn, born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and spent much of his childhood on the family farm near Burnett, Wisconsin. His fondness for nature became the catalyst for his art. Kenn’s parents encouraged his artistic education and following High School, he attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a commercial designer and illustrator Kenn received many awards at both local and national levels, which included acceptance in the 30th Annual Society of Illustrators Show in New York City. Although Kenn took pride in his commercial successes, his heart always belonged to the fine art of outdoor painting.
With his developing interest in the historic traditions of plein air painting, Kenn decided in 1984, to devote more time to his passion for painting and the love of the outdoors. His works have been juried into many shows across the country and his paintings have been honored with numerous Best of Show awards and distinctions. He regularly serves as an acceptance juror and awards judge for many shows around the country. He enjoys giving back and has served as an instructor for over ten years.
Kenn was part of a PBS series entitled, “Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape”. Kenn is now one of the host artists of a new high definition 13-part series, Passport & Palette™ represents the next generation of art education on public television.
Kenn is a Signature Artist Member of the California Art Club, a Master Signature Member of both the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society, a Signature member of the Plein-Air Painters of America. He also served as President of the Plein-Air Painters of America.
Kenn was one of the Master Artists at the first Plein Air Convention hosted by the Plein Air Magazine in Las Vegas, NV in April of 2012. Kenn was also invited as one of the Master Artists at the Weekend With the Masters Workshop and Conference in September of 2012, held at the luxurious Rancho Bernardo Inn, near San Diego, California.
EDUCATION
1973 Graduated from Layton School of Art, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
INVITATIONAL AND JURIED MUSEUMS EXHIBITIONS AND GALLERY SHOWS
2011 “Catalina The Wild Side” The Catalina Conservancy, Avalon, CA
2010 “Painting the Poetry of Light” One-Man Show, Travis Gallery, New Hope, PA
2010 “Western Rendezvous of Art Exhibit and Sale” The Northwest Rendezvous Group Helena, MT
2010 “On-Location with the Plein Air Paintings of America” The Art Association of Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole, WY
2010 “Reflections of Catalina”, The Society for the Advancement of Plein Air Painting, Catalina Island, CA
2010 “Oil Painters of America National Show”, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2009 “American Art in Miniature” Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
2009 “American Artists Abroad” Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
2009 “Oil Painters of America National Show”, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2009 “American Legacy-Our National Parks” The Plein Air Painters of America, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA
2009 “Impressions of an American Master” Debra Huse Gallery, Balboa Island, CA
2009 “International Marine Art Exhibition” Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT
2009 “Western Rendezvous of Art” The Northwest Rendezvous Group, Helena, MT
2009 “The Couse Foundation Show” The Couse Foundation Show, Taos, NM
2008 “American Art in Miniature” Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
2008 “Celebration of Light”, Plein Air Painters of America, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
2008 “Surf & Sand”, Group Exhibit and Sale, Travis Gallery, New Hope, PA
2008 “Northwest Rendezvous Group, Show and Sale” Helena, MT
2008 “Heritage Art Exhibition”, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Irvine, CA
2008 “European Tradition, American Vision”, Plein Air Painters of America, Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD
2008 “Still Life & the Allure of Nature”, Two-Person Show, Helena Fox Fine Art, Charleston, SC
2007 “American Art in Miniature” Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
2007 “The Abundant Earth” Group Artist Show, Knowlton Gallery, Lodi, CA
2007 “Through Brush and Written Word” One-man Show, Troika Gallery, Easton, MD
2007 “Sea to Shining Sea” Group Show, Tree’s Place, Orleans, MA
2007 “Twilight and Reverie” Four person show, Tree’s Place, Orleans, MA
2007 The Plein Air Painters of America, “From the Heart”, The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA
2007 “Blossom-Art of Flowers” Susan Kathleen Black Foundation, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX
2006 “Stockton on Canvas” The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA
2006 “Spring Showcase 2006” Michael Hollis Fine Art, Pasadena, CA
2006 “Wild Wild West Plein Air Invitational” Scottsdale, AZ
2006 “Birds in Art 2006 Invitational” Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI
2003-08 “Coastal Splendors” Crystal Cove Invitational Exhibition, Alliance to Rescue Crystal Cove, Crystal Cove, CA
2005 “Six Masters on Cumberland Island” Fraser/Fox Fine Art, Charleston, SC
2005 “American Artists Abroad” The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
2005 “Spring Invitational 2005” Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
2005 “Plein-Air Painters of America, 20th Annual Exhibition and Sale, Caesars Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, NV
2004 “Plein Air Color and Light” Plein Air Painters of America, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
2004 “Coastal Treasures” One-man Show, Debra Huse Gallery, Balboa Island, CA
2004-08 “Maynard Dixon Country ” Annual Art Show and Sale, Mt. Carmel, UT
2004 “1st Annual Telluride Plein Air Event” Sheridan Arts Foundation, Telluride, CO
2004 “From Sea to Shinning Sea” The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA
2004 “Plein-Air Painters of America, 19th Annual Exhibition and Sale, Caesars Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, NV
2004 Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2003 “Plein Air from Coast to Coast” Plein Air Painters of America, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
2003 “Catalina Reunion Show” Society for the Advancement of Plein Air Painting, Avalon, CA
2003 “Impressions with Brush and Eye” One-man Show, Debra Huse Gallery, Balboa Island, CA
2003 Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Nichols Taos Fine Art Gallery, Taos, NM
2003 “Glories of the Sonoran Desert” PAPA, Desert Caballeros Western Museum,Wickenburg, AZ
2003 “The Allure of Light” The Plein Air Painters of America, Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts, Steamboat Springs, CO
2003 “Plein Air 2003” Tucson Plein Air Painters’ Society, Inc. Tucson, AZ
2002 “Recent Works” One-man Show, Debra Huse Gallery, Balboa Island, CA
2002 Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Hilligoss Galleries, Chicago, IL
2001“Recent Works” One-man Show, Debra Huse Gallery, Balboa Island, CA
2001“Sierra Pack Trip Show” Pogan Gallery, Lake Tahoe, CA
2000 “Plein Air San Antonio Invitational”, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
2000 “Holiday Parade”, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
2003 “American Miniatures”, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2000- 02 “American Miniatures”, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
“American Miniatures”, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1999-07 “Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational”, The Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA
2000 “Plein-Air Painters of America, Recent Works”, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
1999 “Plein-Air Painters of America, Recent Works”, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
2000 “5th Anniversary Gala Celebration”, Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena, CA
2000 “Invitational Show”, Ann Hughes Fine Art, Dallas, TX
1999 “Art Of the Animal Kingdom IV”, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
1999 “American Plains Artist Invitational Show”, Midland, TX
1999 “Invitational Plein Air Show and Sale”, Tucson, AZ
1999 “Impression-aire Show and Sale”, La Quinta Arts Association, La Quinta, CA
1996-03 The Plein Air Painters of America Sale and Exhibition, Catalina Island, CA
2000 Plein-Air “Spontaneity of the Landscape” Two-Person Show, Art Access Gallery, Columbus, OH
1999 Solo Exhibit, Art Access Gallery, Columbus, OH
1998 Solo Exhibit, Art Access Gallery, Columbus, OH
1997 The Plein Air Painters of America Regional Show, California Heritage Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997 “Women, the Artist View”, Invitational Show, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
1996 “Beaver Dam Arts Association Invitational Group Show”, Beaver Dam Area Arts Association, Beaver Dam, WI
1995 “En Plein Air Show” Delind Fine Art, Milwaukee, WI
1990-1992 “Gold Room” Invitational Annual Wildlife Show, Easton Waterfowl Festival, Easton, MD
1990 “Winter in the Midwest” Invitational Six Person Show, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
1990 “Regional Juried Show” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler, WI
1988 “American National Miniature Show” Laramie, WY
1987 “American National Miniature Show” Laramie, WY
1986 “Four Person Show” West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
REPRESENTATION
Debra Huse Studio Gallery, Balboa Island, California www.debrahuse.com
Helena Fox Fine Art, Charleston, South Carolina www.helenafoxfineart.com
Travis Gallery, New Hope, Pennsylvania www.travisgallery.com
Troika Gallery, Easton, Maryland www.troikagallery.com
The Highlands Art Gallery www.highlandsartgallery.com
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Plein-Air Painters of America – Signature Member, Past President 2000-2001, www.p-a-p-a.com
Oil Painters of America – Master Signature Member, www.oilpaintersofamerica.com
American Impressionist Society - Master Signature Member, www.americanimpressionistsociety.com
En Plein Air Masters, www.enpleinairmasters.com
Passport & Palette – Artist and Producer, www.passportandpalette.com
PUBLICATIONS/BOOKS/TELEVISION RELEASES
2016 June/July Featured Article, Plein Air Magazine
2009 Passport and Palette, Released May-APT Television Series, DVD Series
2007 Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape, PBS Television Series, DVD Series
2006 American Artist, “Workshop For Oil & Acrylic Painters”, Summer Issue.
2004 December, Plein Air Magazine
2004 July, Southwest Art Magazine
2004 June, American Artist Magazine
2004 From Sea to Shining Sea, A Reflection of America, Book
2003 Enchanted Isle, A History of Plein Air Painting in Santa Catalina Island, Book
2002 Spring, Persimmon Hill Magazine
2000 September/October, Wildlife Art Magazine
1997 North Light Books, Best of Wildlife Art, Book
TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS
2004 - 2007 “American Legacy - Our National Parks”, The Plein Air Painters of America, www.smithkramer.com
2009 – 2013 “From Sea to Shining Sea”, The Plein Air Painters of America, www.smithkramer.com
JUROR REQUESTS
Kenn's had the honor to serve as both Acceptance Juror and Awards Judge for several art shows across the country.