We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ken Neiheisel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ken below.

Alright, Ken thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I think of many risks I have taken as it relates to my artwork. Starting with making a decision to leave a full time career as a owner of a strategic design agency and pursuing a dream to spend my creative energy as a fine art painter. After establishing my studio for many years on the Eastside of Austin, I took a risk to move my studio 36 miles out of town to my son’s ranch and establish my artist’s residence there. Both of these were some of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

As an artist, I feel that every time you start with a new idea you are taking risk. Showing up is the first step. There are many times that I have made that drive to my studio and had no idea what I was going to do that day. When you allow yourself to be in the space without expectations and be open to whatever happens is when the ideas come rushing in. Many times I leave excited about what happened and can’t wait to get back to it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

From there I studied fine arts in college and ended up with a degree in commercial art. That landed me a job starting out in an ad agency and later a design firm where I honed my skills as a designer/photographer and illustrator..

Joining up with a very successful photographer, I went on to be a partner and continued my design skills in leading the company for 30 years before retiring in 2015. All the while I maintained a home studio where I continued my painting while building a successful business.

The work I do today is a combination of my abstract painting and working with wood to make what I call wall sculptures.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Starting with my elementary school experience, it was having a talent that was recognized by others and their wanting me to share it with my peers.

High school and college gave me another opportunity to hone my skills where they were acknowledged by an even larger audience. Awards played a big part in building my confidence and the focus to consider art/design as a career.

As a professional in the design community, collaborating with others and solving clients’ challenges has been rewarding.

With my focus now being 100% as a visual artist, painting and creating in my studio allows me to remove myself from any outside distraction or influence and let whatever is supposed to happen take place. That is the ultimate reward.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After a 30 year career as a designer and managing partner in a design agency, I had the unexpected opportunity to retire.

From early on in my career I knew what I wanted to do once I left the business world. Having a studio where I could paint and create for myself everyday would be a dream come true. So it wasn’t difficult for me to accept this and begin a new chapter in my creative life.

The last 9 years have been such a rewarding experience and one that I feel I will continue for the rest of my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kenneiheiselstudio
• Facebook: The Ken Neiheisel Studio

Image Credits
All photos by either Ken Neiheisel or Alex Neiheisel Copyright 2024