CURRENT NEWS:

Knecht Artwork in New Edition of Drawing Text

Two of Knecht's egg tempera paintings, "The Retreat of Winter" and "Leila's Kitchen" have been selected by artist/auther Brian Curtis for the second edition of his book Drawing from Observation: An Introduction to Perceptual Drawing forthcoming from McGraw Hill. Knecht's paintings are included in the chapter on composition as a positive demonstration of avoiding centering of focal point. Brian Curtis chairs the Drawing Program in the Art Department of the University of Miami, in Florida where he has taught continuously since 1985.

Like Sam Knecht, Brian Curtis is a strong advocate for revival of representational painting in the nation's culture.

Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History

Observations: Paintings of Sam Knecht

Jackson, MI

January 26 – April 10, 2008

Over twenty recent works including portraits, character studies and landscapes.

Ohio Wesleyan University

Unveiling of Portrait of Dr. Thomas Courtice, President Emeritus of OWU

Deleware, OH

Over 100 friends, alumni, faculty and students assembled in Grey Chapel On the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University as Sam Knecht’s large portrait Of President Emeritus Thomas Courtice was unveiled. Members of the Courtice Family were on hand along with artist Knecht and benefactors of the university who sponsored the project. The portrait now hangs in the lobby of Grey Chapel taking its place among portraits of past OWU presidents.

Artists and Artisans of Michigan

Kennedy Publications of Virginia

Sam Knecht's work has been given awards and selected for publication in the forthcoming book "Artists and Artisans of Michigan" published by Kennedy Publications of Virginia. His painting "Amelia's Quilt" earned First Place in Watercolor, and the painting "Decrescendo" was awarded Honorable Mention. Both images are in the portrait gallery of this site.

Construction Complete
on new Knecht Studio

Hillsdale, MI

Caulkins Construction finished work on Sam Knecht’s new studio attached to the Knecht residence in Hillsdale. Taking six months to build, the studio features optimal north lighting, sky lights, and an operating fieldstone fireplace. Special care was taken to design the structure to be compatible with the 1860s Gothic Revival style of the Knecht home.

Involving about 600 square feet of space, the studio has ample workspace, track lighting, room for comfortable guest seating, plumbing for cleanup, location for large drawing table, ample storage, and plenty of wall space for showing work.

“This has been a dream project,” remarks Knecht of the studio. “In part, it is an homage to my grandfather who first got me interested in art. A serious amateur painter, John Knecht Sr. built his own studio, complete with working fireplace. “I loved visiting my grandfather in his studio, smelling the oil paint, and being entranced by the magic of the brush. Part of his spirit lives on in this new studio.” >View the Studio

COLLECTIONS:

• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
• Michigan Supreme Court, Lansing, Michigan
• Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan
• Hillsdale College
• Metropolitan Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• K-Mart World Headquarters, Troy, Michigan
• Hillsdale Community Health Center, Hillsdale, Michigan
• Villa Corsi-Salviati, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
• Campus Inn, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Spring Arbor College, Spring Arbor, Michigan

REVIEWS:

Mila Andre in the New York Daily News

"Romantic Realism: Visions of Values is like a breath of fresh air… Take, for example, the egg tempera by Samuel Knecht, Morning Shadows, whose central "character" is a wicker rocking chair leaning against a tree that invites the viewer to just sit down, relax, and enjoy the surroundings."