JSMB 2017 Artist J. KEN SPENCER

Ken was born in Ogden, Utah. He began painting at the age of 14 and in time studied illustration at Utah State University.  After college, he moved to the New York Metropolitan area where he worked as an illustrator. He also began developing his fine art career by painting for exhibition in galleries and juried shows. After living on the East Coast for seven years he moved his family back to the West where he now pursues his fine art career full time. He and his family reside in the small town of Blackfoot, Idaho.  He has traveled throughout the U.S as well as to France, Italy, Germany, England and the Czech Republic to paint on location and gather reference material to paint. He spent time in Paris, Brittany, Normandy, Florence, Venice, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre, Bavaria, Prague, and Bohemia. These areas are rich in visual textures and imagery. He spent time painting the small villages, large cities, coastal regions, and the people of Europe. All of these trips have generated many wonderful images and strengthened his abilities as a painter. He continues to travel locally and abroad to search out new inspiration.