Percy Kleinops
Artist Bio
Percy is a studio partner at Open Sky Studio and Gallery in Tarpon Springs, FL, where he paints, writes, and holds poetry readings. His art is exhibited nationally on-premise and online. He has had solo exhibitions locally as well as group exhibitions. He self-published his first book of poems and art in 2018, “To Keep Us Human “. He is the author of 6 Poetry Chapbooks. He is working on 12 additional Chapbooks of poetry and art to be completed by the end of 2024.
Percy is a humanist. Over a lifetime of experience which includes being a law enforcement officer, volunteer firefighter, lawyer, a pioneer in the organic and sustainable food service industry, and entrepreneur, Percy traveled to every state in the USA and most countries in Europe.
He was born in Latvia during World War II and immigrated to the US as a young child without the benefit of speaking English. Enduring the challenge of learning a new language and acclimating to life in a new land with plenty of food, beautiful schools, and long pants prepared the foundation to build a perspective on humans that he reveals in his work as a visual artist and poet.
Percy’s curiosity about being human has developed into a fully unafraid supporter of women’s equality, racial justice, social justice, the LGBTQI+ community, and human justice. His poetry and art speak to these issues often in the first person. It is the emotional connection to his work that results in his unique style of painting and writing, simple yet powerful. His paintings often are accompanied by poetry and/or narrative to offer the viewer a map of a journey of his work.
He gives credit to two years of semiprivate professional training, engagement with fellow artists, and the encouragement of his studio partner.