Blog

Filmmaker and Documentarist Igal Hecht and crew were at my studio to produce a segment for his upcoming series "Path to Creation". This series features many contemporary Canadian music and visual artists. It can be seen Thursday nights in the Toronto area. Look for my episode coming soon in 2024.

June 2022, Thornhill Historical Society (my hometown) had a Walking Tour of the homes of 5 of the famous Canadian Group of Seven who once lived in Thornhill. They also had an Art Show, featuring local contemporary artists, influenced by the Group some 100 years prior. I was honoured to get a visit from my old friend and Canadian Rock Icon, Kim Mitchell. Seen here purchasing "Killarney Rocks".

It was a great honour to be voted in the Top Ten from thousands of entries in the 2022 FAA Billboard Contest!

From my canoe trip to Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay in the summer of 2023. This was one of the most remarkably beautiful vivid pink sunsets I have ever witnessed on a canoe trip. I just had to capture it on canvas! Acrylic on Canvas 28' x 22'

New painting "Clear Reflections" 22" x 28" Acrylic on stretched canvas.
Georgian Bay, Killarney area of the Philip Edward Island Archipelago.
This original painting is now available for purchase. Reproductions available on Fine Art America.

“The Canadian Canvas”
100 Years After the Group of Seven

This new hardcover large format coffee-table photobook is filled with 28 pages of beautiful full colour quality glossy prints of 50 of some of my best original Canadian Landscape Paintings.

Please contact me for inquiries.

Coming soon...
“Historic Toronto in Paintings” by Kenneth M Kirsch.
This beautiful full colour hardcover photobook is filled with the entire Historic Toronto Collection of Kenneth M Kirsch.

Contact Ken for inquiries.

I’m so honoured to announce
that I have made it into the
TOP 10 ARTISTS
of the 2018 McMichael Canadian
Art Collections Autumn Art Sale and Fundraiser this year!

This years fundraiser earned over $142,000!

Many thanks to the McMichael Volunteer Committee team for all their hard work & commitment, and the support to those who came out to this great event.

See you all next year!

Oct. 29, 2017;
Meeting and talking with Robert Bateman at Select Art Galleries in Newmarket.
Seen here standing in front of some of my paintings.
We both show here at Select Art Galleries.

I just completed my latest painting commission “Autumn Dream”.
Reproductions in many sizes are available at KenKirsch.com.

..."1917: Canada Comes of Age is comprised of artwork from 14 Toronto- and Ottawa-based artists, who have interpreted various events that shaped Canada in its 50th year of being. It includes Canadian artists such as Sue Miller, Kenneth Kirsch, Erin Crysdale and Lydia Pépin".

Article by; Joel Redekop
Posted: July 26, 2017

Canada Comes Of Age Art Exhibition Ottawa July 31 to Aug 2, 2017

Thornhill, ON - July 28th, 2017

1867: the year of Canada’s confederation. It’s a year that has been in the forefront of the Canadian consciousness for the entirety of 2017, with the current year marking the True North Strong’s 150th birthday. But 2017 also marks the anniversary of another important year for our country, and a dual-city, multi-artist exhibition aims to bring it to the public. 1917: Canada Comes of Age is comprised of artwork from 14 Toronto- and Ottawa-based artists, who have interpreted various events that shaped Canada in its 50th year of being. It includes Canadian artists such as Sue Miller, Kenneth Kirsch, Erin Crysdale and Lydia Pépin.

Feature Poster Painting "Vimy Ridge" by Kenneth Kirsch

July 8, 2017 marks the 100th Anniversary of the tragic death of Canadian Artist Tom Thomson in Ontario's Algonquin Park. Thomson, a Canadian Art Icon, was the main influence for the Canadian Group of Seven art movement in Toronto back in the 1920s. Kirsch has created two tribute paintings to Tom Thomson along with a collection of new Vimy Ridge and Historic Toronto Tribute paintings for various Canadian Sesquicentennial Art Shows in multiple cities in 2017. New Painting "The Art of Fishing" Tom Thomson and his Group of Seven (shown here), may be seen on display from July 1, 2017 at Muskoka's Eclipse Gallery in Deerhurst Resort.

Pineridge Art is proud to collaborate with Canadian Fine Artist Kenneth Kirsch on his New 2018 Calendar aptly named "Northern Getaway".
The artists and artwork featured on all our products is known for quality of workmanship and diversity of themes, ranging from folk art to wildlife, contemporary design to collage.
Our products can be found in the very best of gift shops, stationery retailers, book and general stores in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Look for Kenneth Kirsch soon...

My historic Toronto painting "Toronto Traffic Cop 1912" appeared in an article (attached link) on the cover of The National Post Homes Section on September 17, 2016.

Toronto Sun Article "Streetcars Brush With Fame" Sunday December 8, 2013. Mike Filey's The Way We Were.

Toronto Sun Article June 2010
Mike Filey
The Way We Were

Toronto Sun Article July 16, 2006
Mike Filey
The Way We Were

Here was my "Best of Show" feature display in the main Grand Hall at this years 25th McMichael Autumn Art Sale. The show was a great success and The McMichael Volunteers raised over $125,000 this weekend selling fabulous new Canadian artists!
I did very well with a few large canvas sales! I spoke with thousands of people and most importantly, my works were received with such fantastic interest, compliments and praise.

Thanks to those who purchased, and to all who attended and supported me with your kind words and "likes".

Hope to see you all back there in 2016!

December 2, 2014
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Volunteer Committee Announcement today;

�Kenneth Kirsch was this year�s Best of Show as top selling artist.
Congratulations Ken!�

The 100th Anniversary Presentation of the sailing of the historic Toronto Trillium Steamship June 2010.
Kenneth M Kirsch presenting his painting of the Toronto Trillium aboard the ship to Toronto Mayor David Miller.
Toronto Historian Mike Filey was also in attendance.

These hi-gloss jumbo postcards will be handed out at the Canadian McMichael Collection's 25th Annual Autumn Art Show and Sale this October 23-25, 2015.

I was an avid canoeist as a young boy, receiving my "Ontario Masters" in canoeing and teaching as a canoe instructor at summer camp in my teens.
It's been awhile since my last real canoe trip (Massassauga 5 day solo in 2009). This year we planned Georgian Bay, Philip Edward Island.
I found that getting back out on more frequent canoe trips (as I did this summer), and exploring our great northern lakes and forests has infused in me new feelings of inspiration, resulting in some great sketches and paintings! My work seems to be improving, rapidly.
The Summer of '15 will be fondly remembered by me (and some of my work I suppose).

Kenneth M Kirsch comes back again this year as "Best in Show" for the 25th Anniversary of the Canadian McMichael Collections Annual Fall Art Show and Sale,
October 23-25, 2015, Kleinburg, Ontario.

November 11, 2014
Rachel Levy Sarfin
Toronto
Correspondent

ARTIST FOLLOWS LONG ROAD TO FULL-TIME PAINTING

When Ken Kirsch was in
Grade 1, his teacher asked the
students to draw the street
where they lived. Kirsch drew
the picture as though he were
standing at the end of the
street. At the far end of the picture,
the houses looked
smaller and the road narrowed
into a distant point."
�My teacher freaked out,� he
recounted. She held it up for
the whole class to see and explained
that Kirsch had drawn
a perspective painting, something
most 6 year olds can�t do.

Over the years, Kirsch continued to be interested in art. By Grade 6, he was responsible for the backdrops in school plays. After high school (and a brief stint in the insurance industry), he enrolled in Seneca College�s graphic design program. As a student at Seneca, Kirsch gained an appreciation for painting, although he set it aside to pursue a career in advertising. The Toronto native had a successful career in the field, establishing Pinpoint Studios with a fellow Seneca alumna.
Pinpoint Studios was acquired by a larger firm in 1990, and heart issues made Kirsch reconsider being part of the fast-paced, stressful advertising field. In 1992, he went back into the insurance business, in which he currently works. The career switch also gave Kirsch the opportunity to explore the passion he felt for painting.
The artist focuses on two subjects: landscapes and scenes of historic Toronto. Kirsch�s landscapes are inspired by his love of the outdoors, something his late father Moishe instilled within him. He also attended B�nai Brith Northland camp for a number of years, where he fell in love with canoeing.
�I love animals,� he added. Kirsch enjoys bird watching as well.
His scenes of historic Toronto were inspired by Kirsch�s experience in advertising. In 1980, Gray Coach Lines hired him. The company gave Kirsch access to its advertising archives, which included many black and white pictures of Toronto in days gone by.
�It was fascinating to me,� he remarked. Kirsch began going to the library to look at books that described the city�s past, and he also became acquainted with journalist and Toronto historian Mike Filey.
Filey has provided him with the valuable details that bring Kirsch�s scenes of old Toronto to life.
�I want to show what it would look like to open the door and see Yonge Street in 1910,� he said.
Kirsch�s talent has attracted a great deal of attention. Since taking up painting full time, his work has been featured in 40 shows, and he�s well represented at art galleries across the GTA. You can also find his art at galleries in Gravenhurst and Port Carling.
Between Oct. 24 and 26, five of Kirsch�s paintings were featured at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg during its autumn art sale. It was a prestigious event in the Canadian art community: the gallery only selects 50 artists from across the country to display their works at the sale.

To view and purchase more of Kirsch�s work, visit kenkirsch.com.

Seneca College Alumni Article
September 2014

PAINTING THE PICTURE OF A SENECA ALUM

Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, Kenneth M Kirsch always had a special talent, eye, and general feel for creating art. It was something that was instilled in him at a young age.

Featured on his website is a report card with a note from his grade six teacher, stating �I hope that Ken will find many opportunities in the future to develop his outstanding artistic ability. He is exceptionally gifted in this area�.

Ken was enrolled in Design Arts in the late 70�s, it is now called the Graphic Design program. He went on to a successful career in graphic design and advertising with institutions such as, The T. Eaton Company (Eaton�s), The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Gray Coach Lines Ltd.

Ken also partnered with Seneca alumna, Pauline Buchman, then owner of Pinpoint Design Studios to form an industry leader in Toronto. After a merger and acquisition with a large international advertising agency, Ken was able to focus his efforts on the work he truly loved. He had reached the pinnacle of his graphic design career and was ready to pursue his craft as a landscape artist.

He is the now the owner of a studio in Thornhill, Ontario, and has taken part in approximately 40 exhibitions and art events since 1980. His work is featured and sold in numerous fine art galleries and exhibited across Canada and worldwide.

Some of Ken�s highlights include several top 10 artist votes from 2009 to 2011 at The McMichael Canadian Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario � a gallery known for showcasing great Canadian art and artists. He was also featured in a television interview at The McMichael with award winning show York Region Living, speaking about his work and passion.

In 2010, he presented Toronto Mayor David Miller with his �Toronto Trillium� painting to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this historic Toronto Island Steamship Ferry.

One of Ken�s greatest personal and artistic highlights came during his time at Seneca in 1977 when Chum FM Radio announced that Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones would be performing a private show at a secret location in Toronto. Ken won tickets to the show by submitting a portrait of Mick Jagger he did at school. The art piece received high praise from his classmates and professors.

Ken has seen the artistic world and technology change from the days of cutting and pasting black and white photos in dark rooms, to where art can now be created through the click of a mouse and social media can help grow his audience internationally.

�It�s amazing that today something I paint can be ordered from anywhere in the world and turned in to a greeting card, a phone case, or a canvas that looks just like the original,� said Ken. �I have adapted with the modern times but my landscape paintings remain timeless.�

Ken is a prime example of the type of world-class talent that has attended Seneca College and developed their skills to become a leader in their field.

"I hope that Ken will find many opportunities in the future to develop his outstanding Artistic ability.
He is exceptionally gifted in this area."
Bruce Walburn