Stephen O’Brien Jr. Fine Arts is pleased to announce the solo exhibition of contemporary sporting artist Kenn Backhaus, American b. 1951. The exhibition will include six major works by the artist and will be on view and available for purchase at Stephen O’Brien Jr. Fine Arts, LLC located at 268 Newbury Street. The show and sale will open March 10, 2009 and run through June 15, 2009. The solo exhibition features paintings with a variety of subjects ranging from wildlife to sporting scenes.

Kenn was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and spent much of his time on his family’s farm near Burnett, Wisconsin. His fondness for nature inspired him to create art. After his graduation from Layton School of Art in 1973, he embarked on a professional career in illustration and design. He continued to pursue his interest in the historic plein air style of outdoor painting, and in 1984, Kenn decided to devote more time to his passion for painting and the love of the outdoors. He found that capturing true color, value and the mood of a subject was best done on location or through direct observation.

Kenn has received national awards and recognition throughout the country.  His work appeared in the traveling exhibit “From Sea to Shining Sea – A Reflection of America” that appeared at the Cape Cod Museum of Art from May 2007 through July 2007. Kenn participated in the PBS series titled, Plein Air Painting the American Landscape and was filmed with two other artists painting in Alaska. In May of 2009, PBS will release another documentary featuring the artist painting and traveling in Europe titled Passport and Palette. Kenn is a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and the Plein Air Painters of America. He also served as President of the Plein-Air Painters of America from the year 2000 through 2001.

For more information, www.americansportingart.com or 617-536-0536.