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| Master Artist, Gem Specialist and Jewellery Designer |
Ken is a talented self taught artist who has learnt by observation, reading and privately studying others. He has patiently, quietly, and meticulously practiced his art and developed his skills to an exceptionally high degree.
His paintings are original in style, technique and subject. The realistic paintings are vibrant full colour expressions of life, carefully planned, drawn, and meticulously hand painted in oils. The abstracts are purely creative explosions of colour. The pencil drawings are generally detailed realistic works. In most cases the realistic paintings have been created from memory, sketches, photographs, imagination or from life.
Ken's other passion is gemstones. He has mined, cut, collected and dealt in gemstones for most of his life.
Ken has had experience dealing in all Gemstones including Diamonds, Australian Opal and Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and all Semi precious gems. Whether you want a special natural crystal or a rare faceted Argyle Diamond Ken is the best person to talk to, he can access or advise you about almost any gemstone, rough, cut, faceted, tumbled, or natural crystal. Ken uses his talent, experience and knowledge to create magnificent original artworks, design and make beautiful jewellery and operate his jewellers shop, gallery and website. |
Artist's Biographical details (updated 2009)
Kenneth S Hunt (born August 7, 1956 - Fern Tree Gully Vic. Australia)
Grew up, went through school, played local football and cricket etc, lived and worked in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne all of his life.
Kens passion for art started at an early age probably spurred on by watching his father paint during his early teen years. Ken gained a few pointers from his father and had a few brief lessons by an artist, had the normal school instruction but from 17 years of age Ken has been totally self taught.
Ken met Helen Charlton in 1979; they married in 1982 and have two children Rachel & Jessica.
Ken has painted continually from the age of 17 but only when time permitted, generally at night or on weekends. Ken has had to work at several jobs to allow him to continue to develop his art and still provide for his family.
Ken's work history -
1973-1974 as a Storeman/Salesman at Coles
1974-1975 House Painter and decorator with his Grandfather
1976 - 1990 as a Plumber & Water tank maker with his father. Starting as an apprentice and in the later years assisted in running the business until it was sold.
1991 - 1994 Worked with Helen at markets selling rocks and crystals, and also a few small plumbing jobs
In 1994 Ken & Helen bought Monbulk Jewellers and have together run the business since, Ken was able to set up a gallery to display and sell his artwork within this business and has recently started a website for this art www.masterstouch.com.au .
Ken works at his home studio every opportunity he gets which is usually one full day per week and occasionally at night or on weekends. Although Ken over the years has not had the luxury of working full time as an artist he has patiently, quietly, and meticulously practiced his art and developed his skills to an exceptionally high degree. Ken is still learning and enjoys the continual development.
Art Competitions etc.
1980 - 1990 Member of Sherbrooke art society and entered several competitions.
Belgrave art show - Tom Roberts and Arthur Streaton awards -
Camberwell and Preston Rotary art shows.
2000 -2009 Archibald and Doug Moran portrait prizes
Finalist
Doug Moran Portrait Prize 2006 'The sergeant and the major, Alan Fincher'
Archibald entry 2007:- Exhibited at Crown Tower Melbourne June /July 2007
'The hidden faces of the Archibald'
Archibald entry 2007 'From black and white a colourful champion emerges', Nathan Buckley.
Archibald entry 2008:- Exhibited at Park Hyatt Melbourne June /July 2008
'The hidden faces of the Archibald'
Archibald entry 2008 'The character within the man', John Stanton.
Archibald entry 2009:- Exhibited at Smart artZ Gallery in South Melbourne June /July 2009
'The hidden faces of the Archibald'
Archibald entry 2009 'Focused', Stefan Dennis.
Ken has not entered many art competitions over the years, a few Camberwell & Preston art shows in the 80's and briefly had his early work displayed at Sherbrooke art society of which he was a member for a short time.
Since 2000 Ken has entered the Archibald and Doug Moran art prizes as he believes they are the best way he can hope to gain some recognition.
Ken has spent a great deal of time, money and energy on the paintings he has created for these premier competitions and although he has not won one yet he enjoyed the enormous challenge and has several magnificent works of art on display to show for it. |
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