#67 • Joan Arend Kickbush Elaborate Large Format Winter Scene Oil Painting
Part of June 2026 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)
High bid $2,900.00
Status: Sold
Category: Art
An impressive large-scale original oil painting by Alaska artist Joan Arend Kickbush (1926-2006), depicting a lively group of Alaska Native children making their way across a snowy village hillside. Dressed in brightly colored fur-trimmed parkas, the children move through the winter landscape while a young girl carries a puppy seated upon a small sled. Snow-covered homes dot the hillside beyond, while the deep northern sky and textured snowfields create a composition filled with movement, warmth, and the sense of community that became central themes throughout Kickbush's career. Kickbush is best remembered for her portrayals of Alaska Native children and village life. Before relocating to Anchorage in 1953, she worked as a commercial artist in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Hawaii. Following a teaching tour to Kotzebue and Nome in 1955, she became captivated by the people and cultures of rural Alaska, embarking on the artistic path that would define her career. Together with her husband, Roland "Kick" Kickbush, she traveled extensively throughout Alaska, often flying to remote villages where she gathered sketches and observations that later served as the basis for her paintings. The Siberian Yupik village of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island became one of her favorite subjects and a recurring source of inspiration. Working primarily with a palette knife rather than brushes, Kickbush developed a highly recognizable style characterized by richly textured surfaces, vibrant color, and expressive faces. Her paintings earned a devoted following among collectors and were exhibited throughout Alaska and beyond, including exhibitions at the Alaska Art Gallery and Seattle's Frye Art Museum. Today, she remains among the most recognizable artists associated with depictions of Alaska Native childhood and village life. The present work is an outstanding example of the artist's mature style, combining her most sought-after subject matter with an unusually ambitious multi-figure composition. Equally noteworthy is its remarkable scale. Measuring nearly 45 inches across in its original frame, this is amongst the largest-format work we have ever offered by the artist, giving the painting exceptional visual presence and making it a particularly significant example of her work. Signed lower right. Housed in the original wood and burlap frame. Measures approximately 32.75" x 44.75" overall with a sight view of 24" x 36".
