Door County Art League Artists and Questions – Ed Fenendael

Watercolor by Ed Fenendael.

The Peninsula Pulse has teamed up with the Door County Art League (DCAL) to reprint portions of interviews conducted by Randy Rasmussen, a DCAL Member-at-Large, with various artists. Featured in this issue of the Pulse is an interview with watercolorist Ed Fenendael. To read the interviews in their entirety, to sign up for DCAL’s monthly newsletter or for more information visit http://www.doorcountyartleague.org.

Randy Rasmussen(RR): I read on your website that as a child you enjoyed color. How far back can you remember enjoying brightly colored objects?

Ed Fenendael(EF): I remember being very young enjoying color. I distinctly remember the great enjoyment I derived from doing art projects in grade school. I went to a one-room elementary school in Pound, Wisconsin that had a very good art program

RR: You probably used the big crayons in the five pack?

EF: I think I do remember the big crayons.

RR: And you went to high school in Coleman?

EF: Yes, and there was a limited art program at our high school. I know I wanted to go to college, and I concentrated on science and mathematics. After high school I went to Marquette in Milwaukee and ultimately obtained a D.D.S. degree. I took, and enjoyed, several basic art classes at Marquette.

RR: Where did you practice Dentistry?

EF: In Kansas City, Missouri. My passion for painting really began to grow as I began practicing as a dentist. I also really began to seriously study art. Painting at this time became a very important part of my life.

RR: I know at that time you began taking workshops with many truly gifted artists. Who were some of those instructors?

EF: I studied with Charles Reid, Ben Konis, Eric Wiegardt, Jean Dobie, and Ken Hosmer. All the instructors had special gifts and all were outstanding teachers. In my opinion they were “colorists,” and this is one reason I enjoyed their classes.

RR: Do you have a favorite artist whose work, in the past or even now, inspires you?

EF: Two artists quickly come to mind – Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. Recently, at one of my shows, a women commented that, “your pieces have the silence of Edward Hopper.” I couldn’t have received a more appreciated comment.

RR: How did Door County come into your life?

EF: Growing up I lived just across the bay in Pound, Wisconsin, so Door County was accessible. My mother and other family members came to Door County to pick cherries and enjoy the scenery. The Door County peninsula was looked upon in my family as a wonderful getaway. As my passion for painting grew I began teaching several classes at Door County’s Peninsula Art School. When I realized I was going to become a full-time artist I knew I wanted to live in an area with rustic charm, and Door County was the place. The location I live in now, Windmill Farm, is perfect for artistic inspiration for both myself and my students. The farm retains the pastoral beauty Door County is known for.

RR: You take students on painting trips all over the world. Where are you going this year?

EF: We (myself and 14 students) are going to Monet’s Garden in France. I have been fortunate to paint all over the world including Eastern and Western Europe, China, Greece, France and Venice.

RR: You had a one man show earlier this year in Kansas City, Missouri and have your work in shows all over the United States. You have a one man show scheduled this fall in New York City at the Callahan Gallery. With all the success you’ve had, what are you most proud of?

EF: I have two wonderful daughters and six grandchildren. The grandchildren are creative. What more could I ask for?

Randall Rasmussen is a DCAL “Member at Large,” and a Charter Member of the Peninsula Plein Air Painters. His work can be seen at http://www.penpap.com.

The work of Ed Fenendael, a well-known Door County artist, can be seen on his website http://www.watercolorexcitement.com as well as at Morning Mist Gallery, located at Windmill Farm, 3629 Fairview Road in Baileys Harbor. The gallery is open May 24 through October 19 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm.