Biography - Kim Weiland
On September 1, 1953, Douglas Kimbel Weiland was born on an American military base in Nuremberg, Germany. His father, commissioned as a Captain, was stationed oversees after the War. Upon completion of active duty, he relocated the family to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Here in the countryside of Chester County, Kim spent the majority of his childhood days.
The desire to paint surfaced at an early age but growing up in the rural countryside allowed little in the way of instruction. Parental support and encouragement led to private study with local artist Anthony Trezza, and further instruction with Pat Witt, a prominent South Jersey Painter.
In September of 1972, Kim moved to Philadelphia and entered Tyler College of Art; there many influences prepared the way for further study abroad. In 1975, he moved to Italy, studying one year at The Tyler School in Rome. At this point, travel became an obsession. Sketches and paintings reflect time spent throughout Italy, Northern Europe, Yugoslavia and Tunisia.
Weiland graduated from Tyler in June of 1976, with a Bachelor of Fine Art's Degree and relocated to Ocean City, New Jersey. The serene influences of the coast soon found a stronghold in his style and paintings from this period concentrate almost exclusively in watercolor. The transparent qualities of the medium, responded well to the study of color and light as Weiland began to record the ever-changing image of the coast.
During the 90's, a return to the oil palette coincided with extensive study in the styles and works of Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins. His work expanded beyond the boundaries of the Mid Atlantic to explore the further reaches of the coast. Traveling North into Maine, the trail is recorded in paint from Newport to Mount Dessert. During this period the works of Ogden Pleissner, as well as the many images of Andrew Wyeth became an inspiration.
The trail of paint then leads south to the Chesapeake Bay and from Annapolis well into South Carolina, The introduction to the city of Charleston thru fellow Painter, illustrator and friend E.B. Lewis led to new inspiration as attested by many paintings depicting the lowlands and backwaters of the of the region. Charleston has become not only a welcome retreat but almost a second home.
Today, the scope of Weiland's painting continues to expand from landscapes to portraiture. The subject of the sea is still a dominating force. The many influences of surfing, sailing, fishing and exploring are evident. The special dedication to life on the barrier islands is eternally an inspiration.
The Paintings, Giclee' and Limited edition Prints are displayed in galleries from Connecticut to Charleston. Many are housed in private and corporate collections, some sharing the walls of Mayors, Congressmen, Diplomats and Celebrities. Currently his lithographs of ocean scenes, published by the BRUCE MC GAW COMPANY, are available in over 60 countries worldwide.
In 1999 he achieved the status of Signature Artist with the American Society of Marine Artist, where from October of 2003 through 2006, he served as President. In addition, he is a Signature Artist at the Noyes Museum of Art in Oceanville, NJ and has served on the board of directors of The Ocean City Arts Center, in his hometown. When not in the studio Weiland also teaches painting workshops in the United States and in Italy and offers his services as a Creative Consultant.