Karl Dempwolf

Youth and Training

Karl Dempwolf was born in Delmenhorst, Germany. As a child, he spent the war years in Bavaria - a picture-perfect countryside with pristine natural surroundings, many sparkling lakes, national parks and nature reserves, myth-enshrouded forests and sun-drenched vineyards, dramatic hills and, of course, the majestic Alps - where he developed his love for nature. In 1954, at the age fourteen, he and his family immigrated to the United States aboard the S.S. America, at the request of the Lockheed Corporation, where his father was to serve as an aerospace engineer. Dempwolf attended Van Nuys High where he played Basketball, then continued his education at California State University, Northridge where he studied art and photography, and became the school’s very first All-American athlete. His training includes the Art Center College of Design (1969) and studies with Hans Burkhardt. He also has a master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California (1974).

Early career

In the mid 1970s, with an interest and a background in art and photography, Dempwolf enjoyed a first career as an award-winning producer and director of documentaries. During this period he filmed a story that touched him, recording the life of Dominic Calicchio, a craftsman who made prized trumpets working out of his Hollywood home. During World War II, when brass was in short supply, he made his own metal alloy, and continued his trade in peace-time. Dempwolf filmed him every weekend for two years and the resulting film took many awards. The Council on International Non-Theatrical Events awarded him their Golden Eagle and he took Best in Show at the Bellevue International Film Festival in Washington.

Painting career

With time, however, painting emerged as Karl Dempwolf's true passion: Early California artists such as William Wendt (1865-1946), Guy Rose (1867-1925), Charles Reiffel (1862-1942), William Ritschel (1864-1949), Edgar Payne (1883-1947) and others, as well as American Impressionist Childe Hassam (1859-1935), became his artistic icons. Additionally, the American Arts & Crafts Movement has been an inspiration for Dempwolf. The movement professed the idea that Art gives the viewer a much needed spiritual lift. Jean Stern, Executive Director of the Irvine Museum in Irvine, California, writes: “…Karl’s paintings are richer with the lessons of Modernism. His forceful use of line gives his paintings great strength and intense formal qualities, and his luxurious use of color imparts a profound yet impassioned consciousness.”

Exhibitions

Permanent Public Collections

Awards

Karl Dempwolf’s work has received numerous awards including the Art of California Magazine's Silver and Bronze Discovery awards; the American Art Collector’s Award for Morn in the Valley, as well as being a finalist in the National Arts for the Parks competition each year in which he entered since 1989.

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