An Unexpected Encounter with the Arizona Desert

How a church project led to the discovery of artist Ken Requard and his vibrant landscape paintings.

Sometimes, the most beautiful discoveries happen when you're not looking for them.

While working on a project for Seven Rivers Church in Florida, I was introduced to Ken Requard, an impressionist oil painter who had recently made the move from Arizona to Florida. Ken had generously offered to donate one of his paintings to the church project, so I arranged to visit him and see his work in person.

What I hadn't expected was to fall in love with practically everything hanging on his walls.

The moment I walked in, I was captivated. Painting after painting revealed the Arizona desert in the most extraordinary colors. Vibrant landscapes, dramatic contrasts, beautiful light, and a wonderful sense of atmosphere. Ken has a way of capturing the desert that makes you see far beyond the familiar image of sand, rocks, and cacti. His paintings are full of life.

And there I was, supposed to choose just one painting.

That turned out to be quite a challenge.

Ken and I immediately got along, and as we talked about his work, his inspiration, and his years in Arizona, I found myself becoming more and more enthusiastic. I knew these paintings deserved to be seen by a wider audience, and I couldn't help thinking how beautifully they would fit into the collection at Amstel Gallery.

What started as a visit to select a single painting turned into something much more special. In the end, I selected seven paintings that Ken generously donated to the Seven Rivers Church project. And somewhere along the way, a new collaboration was born.

I love discovering artists this way. Not through a carefully planned search or an art fair, but through a genuine encounter, a shared appreciation for art, and that immediate feeling when something simply speaks to you.

I'm delighted to introduce Ken Requard and his impressionist oil paintings of the American Southwest to Amstel Gallery.

Meet Ken Requard. Discover his beautiful Arizona desert landscapes and see why I couldn't leave without bringing his work to the gallery.