Guestbook Messages
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How wonderful to see the results of all your hard work in the artworks, photos and text of your web site. It's very exciting to learn more about one of Canada's almost forgotten artists. Keep up the good work Kim; we look forward to the book.
Gillian Reddyhoff, Curator, Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario
Toronto, ON Canada
Hi Kim – Thanks for all your help providing me with such valuable information and the wonderful photo of Ahrens for Defiant Spirits. Your website is a terrific resource and a testament to your years of research. You’re doing a service not just for Ahrens but also for Canadian art. I can’t wait to read your book.
Ross King, author of Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven
Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England
I am thrilled that you have written such a beautiful novel from this unique love story of a great artist and his life-mate! It has been a joy to discover Carl’s paintings for the first time. You are bringing them back to the public’s notice in a wonderful way and your novel will carry this steadily forward!
Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille
New York City, NY
The Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery in Owen Sound also has Carl Ahrens included in its permanent collection. I will have our Collections Manager forward you details on those works. Congratulations on your site -- well done.
Stuart Reid, Curator, Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery
Owen Sound, ON Canada
I could stare at Carl’s paintings all day – and notice I say “Carl” as if I knew him personally – but you know I am kind of in love with him half the time and the other half I’m exasperated by him. ALL of the time I adore his work. I’m looking forward to when The Oak Lovers is released and then I can say, “Huhn, I was there before” as if I’m all speshul or something. *Laugh.* Wonderful site. Wonderful book. Wonderful art.
Kathryn Magendie, author of Family Graces
Western North Carolina
Kim, we are always excited to acquire works by Carl Ahrens for our gallery. We are even more thrilled to have had you find us. It is invaluable to have you documenting Carl's life and works. It has been a true pleasure working with you and we look forward to the book!
Grace Meibohm, Owner, Meibohm Fine Arts
East Aurora, NY
Both Carl Ahrens’ art and story are fascinating. I can see exactly why you choose to write a novel about his life.
Cathy Marie Buchanan, author The Day the Falls Stood Still
Toronto, ON, Canada
Congratulations on finishing your book, Kim! The excerpts I have read and the article and photos in the WHS Volume 94 – 2006 were “teasers.” Our WHS members and others in the Kitchener area look forward to the full story. We hope you will visit again with your books for sale.
Waterloo Historical Society
Waterloo, ON, Canada
I am the registrar at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and I am very pleased to see that this resource has been made available on the internet.
Robert Steven
Kitchener, ON Canada
Hi Kim – The Oak Lovers sounds fascinating, and the art here is beautiful. I’m truly looking forward to learning more about your book, and having the opportunity to read it. Write on! All best, Therese
Therese Walsh, author of The Last Will of Moira Leahy
I am the Curatorial Assistant at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan, and on behalf of the MacKenzie I would like to express how wonderful it is to see this resource on Carl Ahrens' life. I look forward to your forthcoming publication!
Aimee Steininger
Regina, SK Canada
Any biography of a Canadian artist is very useful. This is a welcome addition to the small body of information that exists for Canadian artists. Keep up the good work, Kim.
John Sewell - So, What's It Worth?
Stratford, ON Canada
Thank you for contacting us, Kim. Having the largest collection of Lapine's work, we are delighted to find connections to him. I hope to follow through with an exhibition with Carl's and Lapine's work - friends together again.
Laurie Carmount, Curator, Agnes Jamieson Gallery
Minden, ON Canada
Hey Kim: You're doing great work in reviving interest in one of our area's long-and-sadly-neglected artists. The Ahrens family name is very prominent in Kitchener (Berlin) Ontario's history and Carl and his family branches deserve more attention. Be sure to let us know when the book is released as I am sure many of our Waterloo Historical Society members will be wanting to buy. Next time you travel to the area let us know and we'll meet for some Ahrens' chit-chat.
rych mills – Past President, Waterloo Historical Society
Kitchener, ON Canada
Having spent 35 years working on the Roycroft campus, I am very much looking forward to the release of this work about Carl and Madonna.
Janice McDuffie - Roycroft Pottery
East Aurora, NY
Hi Kim: Late congratulations for finishing the book! I am so looking forward to it. Yesterday, on a walking tour in Kitchener, we were on Ahrens Street and I thought of you…even though I don’t think it’s named after Carl.
Marion Roes, President, Waterloo Historical Society
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Kim, this is the most wonderful website and you are doing such an honour for your Great Grandfather. My father, Ben Graham, was a friend of Carl's daughters, Chloris and Sigrid in Galt, Ontario in the 1920's. He spoke of them often and wrote about them in his columns for the Cambridge Reporter which he contributed to from the age of 89 to 94. I am so sorry he will not be able to meet you (he died in 2002), but you and I will this weekend when you come to talk about him at the K-W Art Gallery. I'll give you his photos of Chloris and Sigrid!
Maxine A. Graham, President, Waterloo Regional Arts Council
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
It’s great to see how much your website has expanded over the last couple of years. Kim, you’re doing very important research and, best of all, it’s clearly a labor of love. I feel very lucky to own a Carl Ahrens painting that I can enjoy every day!
Marie Via, co-author of Head, Heart and Hand: Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters
Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester (NY)
I hope that info provided by the Elbert Hubbard, Roycroft museum has been helpful.
Donald Meade
East Aurora, NY
I love these paintings and am thoroughly intrigued by the “story behind the novel.” Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Judy Merrill Larsen, author of All the Numbers
St. Louis, MO
I visit the site often, especially of late. Having been lucky enough to have gotten a sneak preview of Kim’s wonderful book, The Oak Lovers, as a beta reader, I was fascinated to come and see the paintings and the family photos as I read. Carl’s work really speaks to me. It is so vibrant and evocative. Wishing you all the best in your journey to publication, Kim! I’ve told you before, but I honestly believe The Oak Lovers will be very successful, and will go far in the restoration of Carl’s name to its rightful place in the annals of great Canadian painters.
Vaughn Roycroft
Michigan
Kim, your website is beautiful. I’m very intrigued by the story and can’t wait to read it.
Liz Michalski, author of Evenfall
Very interesting site - can't wait to see the book! We own one of Carl's prints, and live in his former house 'Big Trees' in Cambridge (Galt).
Nancy Tellier
Cambridge, ON Canada
Kim, this is so exciting! I love how you appreciate the works of your great-grandfather and the relationship he had with your great-grandmother. This is very beautiful! I wish you wing speed and lift in finishing your beloved novel! I’ll be rooting for you and watching your journey from afar! Joy!
Jink Wills
Houston, TX
What a gorgeous site you have! I so admire Carl’s work and YOURS – and can’t wait for your book to come out. It’ll be fun to connect the artist’s work with the artist’s story.
Debra Brenegan, author of Shame the Devil
Missouri
This website is such a pleasure because it carries a wealth of history about a fine Canadian painter. I cannot imagine the effort it has taken to locate over 300 paintings by Carl Ahrens. I teach genealogy and family history and this website is a fine example of a meaningful history. I’ve seen much of the work of the Canadian Group of Seven and he is of the same caliber.
Joyce Bischoff
Avondale, PA
Kim, I’ve been following your writing progress of The Oak Lovers for some time. You’ve talked about struggles with writing certain scenes in your quest to keep their story authentic. The glimpses of the story I’ve read about have me wanting to read their story. The paintings of Carl Ahrens I’ve seen are beautiful and a few haunting…I can’t wait to see everything put together!
Laura Kay
Memphis, TN
Kim, I actually met someone at a charity dinner Kevin and I were attending that knew who your great-grandfather was. The conversation rolled around to the only real connection I knew concerning our Canadian neighbors, you and your book. I want to thank you for providing me subject matter for discussion! Amazing how someone could have such a great impact on history. Can’t wait to read the book. Great website!
Sharon Riordan
Aiken, SC
Beautiful website! As a writer and fan of historical fiction, I always seem to have a thirst for history. Carl’s paintings are beautiful and interesting. I’m looking forward to knowing his story.
VP Chandler
Loved seeing Carl's exquisite use of color in his paintings, reading the history, seeing the family pictures–the whole website is so well done. Looking forward to the book.
Betty Long
Phoenix, AZ
Carl Ahrens is my second cousin, once removed because he was the son of my grandmother's brother, Herman. Am I genealogically correct? I refer to Carl as, "The Painter of Trees"--he loved trees! I truly believe he's one of our overlooked great Canadian painters--perhaps because he painted so frequently out of his native country Canada. He often painted in England and the United States. I feel he mastered the art of mixing his oil paints, and succeeded in capturing the reality of Canada's colorful foliage on his canvasses in a unique and impacting way.
Paula Niall
Owen Sound, ON, Canada
Kim, I am one of your biggest fans and your drive to complete this book was exciting and pleasing to see, a deep heartfelt LOVE of someone you never met!! Awesome attitude in writing....the TRUTH! Good ole' truth...
Pam Marie
Dallas, TX
Congratulations, Kim! You have produced a wonderful web site that reflects your passion for Carl Ahrens' work. I hope that more of his paintings will come to be known and appreciated, especially in this part of Canada where he lived and worked for so many years. I look forward to your book!
Liz Hardin
Kitchener, ON Canada
Great site! It’s very informative, and the paintings are lovely. Good job!
Joanna Pederson
I’m fascinated by Carl Ahrens’ paintings – what a wonderful resource to learn more about him and his work.
Becky Yeater
St. Louis, MO
Your website is so impressive. I love being able to see Carl’s glorious paintings and read about your journey. I wish you the best and eagerly await your published novel.
Joan Mora
Dallas, TX
Great job on the website updates, Kim, and congratulations on finishing The Oak Lovers!
Julie Kibler
Dallas, TX
Kim, you’ve done an amazing amount of research on clearly a labor of love. I’m sure Carl and Madonna would be thrilled by the attention and accolades. Looking forward to reading their story and hope you eventually find the missing pieces of art.
Pamela
Dallas, TX
I would like to see more of the artist’s work. Brilliant colors.
David Hoeft
St. Louis, MO