Paul Kittlaus’ work is embodied in color at play. Drawn to lives lived upstream, explorers and rebels, Kittlaus listens for a hint of the future as he paints. Excavation of the mystical and spiritual, as well as a sense of lightness and fun, shine through his abstract, acrylic paintings. Burgeoning yellows imbue the canvas with a narrative of courage and risk, while calm blues and bold reds serve as a beacon of hope as he advocates for a more just and peaceful world. “We want to push back against the darkness which takes the life out of us,” says the artist.
Kittlaus has lived a life shaped by sharing through action and passion. Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he is a graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary, and was ordained a minister in 1959. Through ministry, Kittlaus used idiom to help people lead more joyful, empowered lives. Now retired, Kittlaus’ painting serves as a catalyst for encouragement, personal insight and renewed vision of one’s place in the world. His process is a contemplative practice that produces beauty in the face of violence and hatred. Kittlaus’ work has been exhibited throughout California and at the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.
