WAUSAU (WAOW) -
Kevin Kohlman says it's an
annual tradition to see Birds In Art at the Woodson Art Museum. But this year is different. For the first time, he's been accepted as a
featured artist.
"I didn't know if
this would ever happen so it's just a tremendous treat" Kohlman told
Newsline 9.
The detail in this La Crosse native's entry of a Woodstock is captivating.
"I was fascinated by
the fact that this white bird has so many different colors in it. You know?
There's these yellows and there's actually pinks and blues in the head"
Kohlman said.
But Kohlman says the
greatest honor is that his painting is hanging next to artwork made by Carl Brenders
of Belgium.
"He's really, truly
one of my idols. As a wildlife artist I
look at people like Carl Brenders--painting right next to his, you know? It's kind of surreal! I'm meeting them and talking to them as a
peer!" Kohlman said.
Brenders' painting
utilizes vibrant colors to depict a bird amid flowers. Something he says would have been impossible
when he started drawing as a child.
"It was during world
war two. We didn't have colors. My father had pencils. He worked at a bank and brought them home
from the bank" Brenders said.
And now that Kohlman is a
featured artist, Brenders says his long-time fan should think of him as a
fellow colleague.
"It's a very good
painting! There's so many very good
paintings in this show! You know what's
nice when you're an artist? It's nice to be part of a group" Brenders
said.
And
now, that's something these two artists will forever have in common.
