About Ken Balmer

Ken, a Canadian Snowbird, spends six months every winter in Green Valley, Arizona.  His wildlife paintings depict the essential spirit of each creature – the quality that allows them to survive and thrive.  His interpretations depart from the truly representational through bold colours, abstraction and suggestion.

Ken’s work is inspired by his search for and appreciation of spirituality in all its forms.   A book of his wildlife art bears the title Orenda - an Iroquois name for a supernatural force believed to be present in varying degrees, in all persons, creatures and objects – the spiritual driver for human accomplishment.  Favourite subjects include hawks (his power animal), the essential spirit of animals, spiritual leaders/ elders, and prayer in its many forms (southwest Native American Dancers, drummers, West Coast totems) – wherever he senses the power of orenda.

During the summer months, Ken and his wife Sally live on the edge of Algonquin Park in Canada. His studio and outdoor ‘Gallery at High Falls’ is located just west of Bancroft, looks over the Falls and is featured on the Bancroft and Area Studio Tour.  Wanderlust takes him into nature and the wilderness by motorcycle, boat or RV for several months every year.

His solo shows have been hosted in Bracebridge (Annex/Let the Cat Go Fine Art Gallery), Maynooth (Wildewood Gallery) and Bancroft (Art Gallery of Bancroft, A Place for the Arts). His art can be seen at any time at A Place for the Arts in Bancroft. Ken has served as Chair of A Place for the Arts and sits on the Boards of the Art Gallery of Bancroft and The Algonquin Art Council.

He has been painting for over 45 years, is self-taught, guided by a few mentors and many professionals who have willingly shared their talent and time.  Ken has a Ph.D. in

geography/planning and has enjoyed an eclectic career as academic, manager, futurist and consultant.

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