Who I am.
Hmm. Been pondering that one for years now….
Hi! Some know me as Karl Kline. Others as Ivan Schmetterling, but that’s a long story. I am a retired English professor who has dabbled in painting and other artistic endeavors basically all my life, but only recently started focusing on it more seriously. That’s largely due to my discovery on gouache paint—thanks to a wonderful 60th birthday present from a good friend. I don’t have the patience for oils but acrylics dried too fast, so the manipulatability of gouache plus it opacity was just perfect for me.
As for the subject matter…If I can make people smile or have a bit of a chuckle, I’m happy. Hence the silly animals doing silly things. But I don’t want to limit myself, so landscapes pop up now and again, and who knows what may come next.
Anyway, I hope you like what you see!
Self portrait of the artist, Karl Kline, aka Ivan Schmetterling
Contact me
If you have any questions or see something you like but might like in a different format, drop me a line!
Most of my work is available in all forms—if you see an original and would like a print or t-shirt or card or coasters of it, let me know and I will try to accommodate your wishes! Depending on the piece, not everything is possible, but give it a try!
I’m also open to commissions or simply suggestions. Have a pet you’d like a painting of? Ask. Want to see your favorite animal eating your favorite food? Ask.
Just want to say “Hi”? That’s groovy, too.