Ken Gillespie started putting images of the Canadian landscape to canvas at age forty. Shortly after, no longer able to withstand the call of the Muse, he left the security of a successful career in the geophysical business to pursue art full time. This change has met with much success and recognition (including sell-out shows), as well as having his work featured in several publications including ‘International Artists’ magazine in their ‘Master Painters of the World’ section.

Although Ken draws a lot of inspiration from the Okanagan landscape, the Rockies and the Alberta prairie, there is a point in his painting process where the subject becomes less important than the act of painting itself. The physical substance of the paint, the colors of the palette and the brushstroke take precedence over anything else. He says, “It’s about how I can make the paint flow, one stroke building on the other; and how all these mix together on the canvas...to become an expression of beauty.”

His painting style and palette has been likened to that of Group of Seven painter Tom Thompson. His influences, however, are Russian-American impressionist Sergei Bongart and other artists like William Hook and Charles Movali.

In 1996 Ken achieved senior signature status (SFCA) with the Federation of Canadian Artists. His works are collected worldwide in private and public collections, including Pengrowth Energy, Hyatt Regency Hotel (Calgary), and Alberta Foundation for the Arts.