My first memorable art experience was a Saturday morning art class at The Detroit Institute of Art in Detroit; my mother took my brothers and I to these classes. I think this was the first time that I thought that I wanted to be an artist.
I studied graphic design, Illustration, and film at the City College of San Francisco in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Also working in the Art department was a great experience. It was here that I was influenced by professors that gave me an appreciation of Milton Glazer, Paul Rand, and Wolfgang Wiengart. I transferred to Wayne State University, returning to the Metro Detroit area where I grew up and studied graphic design and painting for a year before leaving WSU to pursue art as an entrepreneur.
From the early 80’s into the 90’s I created ads, promotions and logos for radio stations and radio personalities at WGPR, WCHB, WJZZ and WJLB, all in the Detroit area. I also spent time with the Yellow Pages as a production artist. Later, I pursued production work for The Metro Times, a popular metro Detroit area tabloid. I was also contracted by many businesses to create logos, signage as well as formatting business documents.
From the 90’s into the early 2000’s I worked for Ad agencies, Newspapers, Printers, and Sign makers. I have been an artist in many areas that include titles of Illustrator, graphic designer, muralist, painter, airbrush artist, ad layout designer and production artist.
Over the past 10 years my art focus has been studying and creating body art and painting. What I find intriguing as a tattooer is that no one has ever gotten the same tattoo. Tattooing people of all shades and sizes is one of the most amazing art forms I’ve had the pleasure of doing. Early on I wanted to know what, if any, difference there was when tattooing darker hued people. I sought advice from one of the most successful African American artist/tattooer in the country, Miya Bailey of Atlanta. He and co-owner of City of Ink’s Tuki Carter have always been accessible for advice. MBTAT2 in the Bay Area, Dannie Bythwood of Cleveland, Swiss Premium of New York, and many others have been great influencers, advisors, and supporters during my tattoo journey.
Painting has also always been a passion of mine. My current study of painting is basically a mash up of impressionism and improvisational painting. I’m greatly influenced by Impressionist Camile Pissaro, Edgar Degas and Claude Monet because of their focus on light. I’m also moved by Wassily Kandinsky’s use of color in his improvisational paintings. My current body of work is being created with acrylic paints on canvas. Artists that inspired me in this medium include Miya Bailey, who I mentioned earlier, and world renowned, artist Gilbert Young of Cincinnati.
During all my artistic careers I’ve found painting to be the most enjoyable. In the last six years I’ve concentrated on becoming a professional artist. In 2018 my apartment was like a small gallery, and I sold paintings off my wall. My first gallery showing happened in 2021 and my paintings are now represented at ArtHouse Kentucky.
Towards the end of 2021, I was honored to be juried into Kentucky Crafted, a program managed through the Kentucky Arts Council. My first sale was purchased by Dr. Shauna Morgan, poet scholar and associate professor at Howard University and University of Kentucky and wife of Frank X Walker, visual artist, Kentucky Poet Laureate, author, educator and motivator.
This was very exciting for me. In short time I’ve met other poets, creatives, and academia scholars. I’m looking forward to creating more art and it is my hope that my work will be enjoyed by many more people. My art studio is in Lexington, Kentucky at The Artist’ Studios.
Ken Burney
About Me
Ken Burney
Artist's Statement
My current study of painting is basically a mash up of impressionism and improvisational painting. I’m greatly influenced by Impressionist Camile Pissaro, Edgar Degas and Claude Monet because of their focus on light. I’m also moved by Wassily Kandinsky’s use of color in his improvisational paintings. My current body of work is being created with the medium of acrylic on canvas.
Much like Jazz improvisation, I like to think of my process of painting as being spontaneous. However, there is a contour that I begin with or an “original tune” in my charcoal sketch on canvas.
In my current body of work - “A Jazz Series” - I chose musical instruments being played as my primary subject because of the vibe and energy that's created.
How a band is set up, how a trumpet is held, how a guitar is being played and the color of music - all of these come together in my mind and they re vibrant and moving..images that I create in my interpretation of jazz music on canvas.
Impressionism is painting characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities. I create large brush strokes in my composition with an emphasis on a composition depicting my interpretation of musical notes and its changing qualities. My interpretation is heavily influenced by painting without a plan or improvised painting. I’m not a musician, I am an artist, and my results are colorful, flowing, intuitively created and visually harmonic.