Kevin M. Haller Studio -- About the Artist

Biography

I am a country boy from Missouri, and my paintings reflect that perspective. My favorite subjects are rural scenes such as a farmer on a tractor, a woman feeding chickens, fog lying in a river bottom, sunset over a barn, and bison roaming the plains. I also enjoy urban scenes because no matter where I am, there is always a sky and other natural elements present.

What I hope to achieve is for people to collect my work because they see it as beautiful, and that they find it supremely representative of our rural landscape and heritage. My ultimate dream is for people to be as moved by my art as I have been by my favorite artists. They made me rejoice in our world, and they made me dream.

BIOGRAPHY

Kevin M. Haller Born September 11, 1960

Kevin is a life-long resident of Missouri. He was born and resides in Saint Louis, but his most significant influences were from rural Missouri. He spent much of his youth on a family farm in the small town of Freeburg. In that rural setting, Kevin developed a fondness for nature, fishing, hunting, and wildlife. These interests led Kevin to painting. In years past, fishing and hunting magazines routinely placed wildlife art on their front covers. Kevin was captivated by these images and wanted to copy and hang them in his room. Towards this goal, he persuaded his parents to purchase his first paint set.

His initial attempts at painting were fairly successful and were highly praised by his family. Empowered by this encouragement, he continued painting through his teens.

In early adulthood, he focused on establishing a career in computers, and it left little time for art. He did not stray from art long, however. In his late twenties, he rediscovered his passion for art, and he has been painting steadily ever since.

PAINTING APPROACH

Kevin paints in watercolor and oil. His artistic voice is impressionistic and immediate, preferring to capture the feeling of the subject above all other artistic goals. He utilizes vivid color in his work, leveraging complementary color schemes to heighten visual interest.

Kevin's primary painting approach is to paint from life, "en plein air". With the subject before him, he can observe it fully, from all sides and with all senses. To aid his artistic growth, Kevin steadfastly maintains a painting journal. For each painting completed, he records a summary of place as well as the inspiration source.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Kevin is a member of the Missouri Plein Air Painters Association, the Mid-America Plein Air Painters Association, and the Saint Louis Watercolor Society.

Kevin is primarily a self-taught artist. However, he has read many art instruction and art history books, and he considers many artists to be his mentor. In particular, Kevin has been influenced by the work of Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Robert Wade, Irving Shapiro, Eric Wiegardt, Arne Westerman, Edward Seago, John Yardley, and Ron Ranson.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this website to my wife, Penny. She is the love of my life. I could not paint without her.

JESUS

Rejoice! Jesus Christ is the anointed savior of the world. He was commissioned by God to become a man, die on the cross, and bare our sins in His body.