Ken & Valerie Knowles
Lot 156
Many of you know Ken Knowles as our resident artist. Several of his paintings are on display in the Club House and Valerie is a frequent participant in Mahjong and Sit and Sew. But did you know?
Ken started out life with a healthy curiosity, much to his mother’s dismay. In high school he was fascinated with chemistry and that led to his experimenting in his secret lab in an outbuilding near his house. One experiment when he was developing a fuel led to his blowing up his mother’s clothesline post. Then there was the time he was carrying a jar of experimental fuel on the back of his scooter. When he hit several bumps, he blew up the back of said scooter.
After high school he joined the Marine Corps and served four years during the Korean Conflict. Back home he went to school to become an electrical engineer. He took several art classes and found he had artistic talent. He then attended the Famous Art Institute. He opened an electronics store, and the business grew rapidly. When he wasn’t able to keep qualified employees to meet the demand, he sold the store.
He worked at Philco in Houston, Texas as a draftsman until they learned of his art ability. He began doing illustrations. He was sent to Hollywood to design the set for the movie ‘Marooned”. He also worked for TI where he did illustrations for advertising and designs for trade shows.
In 1976 he met Valerie at a church group. She worked as a Systems Analyst for Dallas Federal Savings. Ken was smitten. They were married in 1977. They had two sons, Nathan and Timothy. Valerie was a stay at home mom with the boys. Nathan became a career Marine and will soon retire as a Colonel. Timothy served in the Army Signal Corp.
Valerie became interested in spinning after seeing a shawl in a shop and learning how it was made. She began spinning to be able to create yarn from natural fibers. Her first project was a table runner. Since then she has crocheted, knitted and weaved various projects. In 2019 the vest she created won Best in Show at the State Fair.
They had done some family RVing with the boys when they were younger and then in a motorhome after retirement. They visited Timber Valley and got on the Waiting List, becoming members in 2017.
Ken gave art lessons in the Club House while Valerie continued her interest in spinning and weaving. She became a member of a local Guild. When the Pandemic hit, Ken stopped art lessons in the Club House and instead gave one on one lessons in his studio. Valerie is still buying fiber that she spins. Due to health issues Ken no longer teaches. They are easy to locate on Dogwood. Just look for the huge Semper Fi sign in the gazebo. You can see his paintings in the Club House and many more in his studio. Ken and Valerie are a wonderful and interesting couple and valued members of Timber Valley.
