Ken Hamilton

At art6 June 6 through June 29, 2008

Ken Hamilton received his B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in painting and printmaking and has participated in numerous Richmond exhibitions, including Think Small and group shows at 1708 and the Anderson Gallery.

Artist's statement

My subjects tend to be glimpses of perceived reality. My early works were mostly painted from life, but lately I've explored painting from memory. I retain ideas in my head and paint them from memory or a quick sketch. I am constantly scanning my surroundings, noticing the relationships of industrial objects with nature. I am fine with discarding much of the details in the process and am less concerned with actual representation and more concerned with the spirit of the moment.

In my paintings I mostly concentrate on form and its relationship to space. I try to use line economically. The colors I use tend to work themselves out, but sometimes I get lost in the process. I struggle with color usage and tend to go more by instinct than methodical approach.

I spent a few years after college learning computer design and secured several positions working with websites and graphics. This has helped me think about my composition more carefully when painting.