The Kinmans hitch a little four wheeled Geo Tracker onto the back of their 36 foot motor home and hit the road. For four months, they are desert rats, collecting images of sunlight and wildflowers and desert golf courses. Both are avid golfers and enjoy playing the many beautiful desert courses.  Recently they have begun painting them and producing paintings and posters which are available both through the courses themselves and through their studio. It all takes time but soon they will have nearly a dozen different images to offer in poster and canvas transfer form.

Remnants of desert sun sparkle in the artist's eyes when they talk about their love for the Sonoran, Mojave and Colorado deserts. They have been visiting these desert regions every year since1983. "Some years the desert literally comes alive with a beautiful and fragrant wildflower explosion! It just depends on the rains.   Much of the joy we get from painting is sharing the deserts fleeting beauty with those who may not have the opportunity to see its brief glory. People tend to think of the desert as sand and heat and dead things. But in March and April it's a totally different story!"  The Kinman's both paint using only painting knives exclusively. "Many folks can't believe we don't use any brushes, They ask about the sky, "Don't you use a brush for the sky?" To which we always reply "the only brush work in our paintings is the signature." Their unique technique of applying paint onto the canvas is atypical of most palette knife painters.   Unlike the heavy impasto, build up appearance, they endeavor to use very little paint while at the same time achieving a great amount of detail for a crisp and concise application.

The tiny flower petals and fine thorny spines on the cactus might lead viewers to suspect their knives are as small as dental tools. In fact, they use quite large knives that they have fashioned themselves. A large boat-shaped knife with a pointed end about 3 inches long is used the most. "We use this knife for about 90% of the painting. I made it from a large triangular knife.  I grind and sand on it until I get the shape and feel we like," Kerry says.  "You can't buy a knife like this."

Kerry and Linda Lee have both been full time artists since 1980. "It's taken a lot of work and effort and we know we are so very fortunate to do what we love and be able to make a living at it. It's developed into a wonderful lifestyle. We're always together and enjoy our days to the fullest!  We know we are blessed when we can spend our summer and fall at home in beautiful Oregon where we've lived in the same place since 1976.  Then, when the rain never stops, we take off to the Southwest deserts and enjoy the sun, the wildflowers, and the great golf courses there! Not to mention the many friends we've made over the years on the road. We can't wait to go and do it all again!"