Centennial celebrates local artists

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This article was published 02/05/2016 (3613 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Joseph Koensgen and Kenneth Miller took two completely different paths as artists, but they both ended up at East St. Paul’s municipal office.

The pair are two of many from the region whose work is on display throughout 2016 at the office (3021 Birds Hill Rd.). The exhibition is part of East St. Paul’s centennial celebrations. Each month different works will be displayed during normal office hours.

Koensgen grew up in East St. Paul. As soon as he could hold a pencil he was drawing.
Koensgen also loved animals and said East St. Paul provided ample inspiration to a budding artist.

“A lot of my early art, including some of the pieces hanging in the municipal office, are inspired by forests and places around here,” he said.

Koensgen said he was mostly self-taught, save for a few classes when he was 11. He also drew inspiration from artists Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, Mark Hobson and Daniel Smith.

Now based out of Southdale, Koensgen recently decided to paint full-time and has a studio in his apartment.

“I like my studio near when inspiration comes.”

Koensgen works mostly with acrylics and continues to draw inspiration from Manitoba’s natural beauty.

“Summer, fall and winter offer unbelievable colours and landscapes in Manitoba,” Koensgen said. “Manitoba’s been a gold mine of inspiration.”

Koensgen is keeping busy with his art. A goal of his is to travel to Churchill and paint a series of Arctic-themed wildlife scenes.

Unlike Koensgen, Miller didn’t begin painting until he was 40. The retired gym teacher had torn his Achilles tendon and needed a relaxing activity during a long rehabilitation.

“I needed something relaxing to do so I took up painting,” Miller said.

Miller continued to find value in his new hobby after his leg healed.

“As a gym teacher, I taught and gave a grade. There was nothing tangible.”

Now, Miller’s house is filled with tangible results of his work.

“I’m running out of room,” Miller said.

Miller said he paints out of a sense of joy. If he sees something he likes, he has to paint it, whether it’s a sunset in Hawaii or a 100-year-old photo of his grandfather’s farm.

“I see a picture and I want to interpret it so it has Ken Miller’s slant to it.”

Miller credits teacher Joyce Anderson  with teaching him about shadowing, abstract concepts and other aspects of the craft.

“Joyce was fantastic,” Miller said. “She had lots of good ideas.”

He also credited neighbour Judy Sutton with encouraging him to promote his work.

Now that he is retired, Miller has all day to pursue his passion.

 “I wish I had 40 hours in a day,” Miller said. “Time just flies by.”

Both Koensgen and Miller appreciate East. St. Paul’s efforts to promote local artists. Mayor Shelley Hart was more than happy to help.

“Prior to the centennial celebrations and our work to bring these artists into the municipal office I was unaware of the depth of talent we have in the area.

“We will easily be able to display 12 months’ worth of quality art.”