So I asked the young man if I could photograph it (since it's sold) and he said yes. I took a picture, then asked who the artist was, and it was him! His name is Kalle Siekkinen, and he'd been studying for six years under another artist named Bill Hemmerling (for whom the gallery was named); he'd mostly just been making frames; never had the courage to paint.
But then Bill died two years ago, so he started painting and VOILA! Amazing work -- perhaps not yet as consistent as Hemmerling's work (which I also love, though I've never seen it before), but I just adore it. He was a lovely young man, sweet and shy, and his spirit totally suffuses his work.
So if you're ever in New Orleans, pay a visit to Hemmerling Gallery on Royal Street to see Kalle and his beautiful work -- it's DEFINITELY worth a visit! And if you happen to find yourself in San Diego December 2, 3, or 4, stop by the Holiday Art Festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to see more of Kalle's work... SO GREAT!
4 comments:
What a wonderful find. I love how your enthusiasm bubbles over!
Thank you for linking to SIekkinen and Hemmerling. I enjoyed visiting the sites and looking at their work; the latter's influence is clear. Touching background story.
Is that saying from the book, "The Help" or does it have another origin?
Diane, the quotation is from "The Help." When she tries to teach the port little white girl some inner value to counteract the parents constant belittlement. Great book.
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