Profile: Bob Kling

If you have been to any art events around Iowa, you probably have encountered Indianola artist Bob Kling. You certainly can’t miss the tent hosting his work at various art shows, the large colorful banner exclaiming “Bob Kling’s Magnificent Art Magic Spectacular,” the exclamation points implied by big yellow stars, an overall effect reminiscent of the way carnival barkers would generate attention, booming voice included, but instead of drawing the crowd into a sideshow, it’s a welcome to the world of fine pottery and painting. Come on in.

If you have driven by his house in Indianola, you have likely noticed the large yellow pencil sculpture in front of his studio. It is a fittingly larger-than-life symbol of Kling’s dedication to the art life.

Bob Kling has been an art educator for over 50 years, 33 teaching in the high school classroom. He chaired the art department at Indianola High School for 22 years. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Simpson College and a Supervisor of Student Teaching for both Simpson and Graceland University. He has taught drawing, painting, graphic design, digital imaging, film photography, art history, ceramics, and sculpture.

This has allowed him to learn, explore, and teach so many art forms. He has found a specialty in pottery and painting for his own work. “I love hand-building and using the wheel to create pottery, both functional and decorative, along with ceramic sculptural forms using stoneware. I love the sculptural quality of clay and enjoy the process of throwing on the wheel. I also love to create figurative sculpture using wire and found forms,” Kling says. As for his approach to painting, Kling works in oil, acrylic, mixed media, and a broad range of subjects. “Whether exploring the subjects of the human figure, reflections, water, my garden, hot air ballooning, travels throughout Europe, or my backyard garden, I paint people, places, and things eying to make the ordinary extraordinary,” he says.

As interesting as his record is, I’m as drawn to how hard Kling still works, continually growing an artistic presence and future. I have to think that, even for Bob Kling, Bob Kling is one hard act to follow!

Kling joyfully uses his background to shape the direction he wishes to take as an artist. He wants to continue to paint and experiment with paint applications but also “play” more with sculpture and printmaking, two areas he hasn’t yet explored to the depth he would like to.

This April, this extensive artist story is coming full circle in a show at the Shenandoah Historical Museum titled “Pandemic Blossoms” featuring Kling’s paintings from his garden, flowers and produce, and paintings from Monet’s water garden from Giverny, France. Kling started working on this series during the beginning of the pandemic. Shenandoah is his hometown. The first public showing of his work came in 1972 at the Shenandoah Public Library when Kling was a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa. Fifty-two years later, Kling is happy to show work back in his hometown for a one-person show that runs the entire month of April. Kling shares fond memories of home and its original influence on his work: “I credit Shenandoah for giving me my love of flowers and gardening. Shenandoah was known as the Seed and Nursery Center of the World. Even the elementary school children participated in an annual flower show!”

Kling also extends his love of art through service in the community. He serves as a board member of BRAVO Greater Des Moines, which distributes over $4 million to Central Iowa art, science, and cultural organizations. He is also the president of the Indianola Public Arts Commission, which was established to encourage the cooperation and coordination of projects in the field of arts and enhance the cultural level of the arts in the Indianola community. He also serves as vice president of the North River Arts Council, a group that fosters connectivity for creatives in Warren County.

If you haven’t already figured this out, it won’t be tough to come across Bob Kling’s work this summer. Just keep your eyes open and ears aware, and you’ll find him at area art shows, the art show he hosts at his home studio, and the Indianola Summer Arts Festival. You can also see Kling’s work of the decorated elephant mascot outside Simpson’s Bill Buxton stadium or the Chris Street mural in the Chris Street Gym.  Check out his work and the infectious joy of creative life.

More about Bob Kling’s work can be found at https://www.bobklingart.com.