Ken Done: A Life Coloured In

by Ken Done

An impressionistic and exuberant memoir by Australia's best-loved artist.

Ken Done has an extraordinary place in the hearts of Australians - we've all worn or decorated our homes with his artwork. His vivid, optimistic images are part of our collective consciousness and have helped define us to the world. But what do we know about the man behind the brush?
A dreamy country kid-turned-art student, Ken took off overseas for a Mad Men-esque advertising career before an epiphany at a Matisse exhibition showed him that painting was where his heart truly lay. But a return to Sydney to paint saw his art overtaken by his entrepreneurial instincts as 'Ken Done' became a sought-after global brand.
However there's more to Ken Done's story than just commercial success: the sudden loss of the profits from a lifetime's hard work and a resultant stressful court case was closely followed by a shock cancer diagnosis. It was a dark time, but the powerful paintings that came out of this bleak period have brought him long-overdue acclaim as one of our great artists.
From his studio on sparkling Sydney Harbour to the ochre tints of the outback or the luminous palette of tropical waters, Ken's artist's eye is ever drawn to beauty and colour. But through good times and bad, what has sustained him are the simple pleasures of life: family, home and, of course, painting.

Genres: Art

344 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2017

About the author

Kenneth Stephen "Ken" Done AM (born 29 June 1940 in Sydney) is an Australian artist best known for his design work. Although his simple, brightly coloured images of Australian landmarks have adorned a very popular range of clothing and homewares sold under the "Done Design" brand, Done's primary interest is in being a painter. Art critic John McDonald said: "Anybody who has anything to do with him realises he is a very serious artist.

Reviews

[Nene Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Ken Done's work, I was hoping I'd enjoy his writing as much as I do his art. I wasn't disappointed. The book is written in a natural, easy style which fits perfectly with the image I already had in my mind of the man himself. I loved the references to the actual work involved in making a piece of art. It reminded me of writing itself, or any form of creativity, really. It doesn't just happen. The book is down to earth. There are no lofty or pretentious-sounding ramblings here, just Ken Done talking about his life and passions. His love of art, family, Australia, travel - it's all in the book. I want to read it again, but with a pencil in my hand this time, so I can underline key passages, makes notes in the margins, draw stars on favourite chapters. This book is a real gem. Enjoy!

[Rich Gamble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler: Ken has lived a full and successful life. The book starts with a childhood and coming of age part which is endearing, there a few great insights into his art but otherwise much of the book is about the fruits of his success; travel and meeting celebrities.. maybe a little too much. By the end it reads like a list of where he's been for a holiday! It is a book for the middle aged north shore housewife that has a set of KD coasters stashed in the dining room console which she remembers fondly rather than a something to interest a student of his art. I was lucky enough to attend a book launch at Lane Cove Library and Ken was very charming and these anecdotes seemed more suited to a interview than a book to be read cover to cover..

[Daina Fanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vibrant joyful book that tells the story of a fascinating life. Great holiday reading!

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Love this man, his life, his work, his art, his humor. For anyone at all interested in learning about this great Aussie artist, this is a fabulous read!!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cheerful read, although a little corny and self-satisfied at times. (What autobiography isn't a little self-indulgent, at times?) It is a pleasant enough account of Ken Done's life in art, the people he meets along the way and the importance of his family. I am a fan of his work which reminds me of the 1980's, the bicentennial and living in Mosman and Balmoral years ago. It would make good holiday reading if your are in the mood for an autobiography about an Australian artist who has been a part of Australian life for several decades, creating such colourful and distinctive works that are so easily recognisable.