With hiking, art shows, and the music scene, Duluth’s lifestyle is what artist Aaron Kloss enjoys most about living in the Twin Ports. He is now a full-time fine art painter. He developed a unique style that blends his graphic design background with a passion for animals.
From Graphic Design to Full-Time Artist
Kloss’s journey to becoming an artist was shaped by his early interest in art, which began in first grade. After graduating from Wayzata High School in 1993, he studied graphic design at North Hennepin Community College, where he took just one painting class. He went on to earn a degree in fine arts at the University of Minnesota—Duluth. Kloss worked for 15 years in publishing, creating advertisements and honing his design skills before transitioning to full-time painting in 2010.
“I just knew it was time to switch,” says Kloss. “I wanted to make painting my full-time focus. But I also knew that, if I wanted to do it professionally, I had to make it sustainable. I had to figure out how to sell my work and live off it.”
This transition wasn’t easy and Kloss credits much of his inspiration and practical advice to local artists who mentored him along the way to become a full-time painter. He recalls the guidance he received from artists like Karen Kramer and Adu Grindy and gaining a deeper understanding of how to live and work as an artist.
The Pointillist Influence: A Unique Style
While Kloss had always enjoyed drawing and painting, his breakthrough came when he started to experiment with a pointillism-inspired technique—using small, individual brushstrokes instead of blending colors or using traditional shading methods. Although he didn’t study painting formally, Kloss developed a style that reflected both his love for precision and his tendency to simplify.
“I didn’t take formal painting classes, but I loved drawing, and I loved airbrushing,” Kloss explains. “I didn’t want to use multiple brushes or complex techniques. I just wanted to focus on simplicity and precision. I use just one brush—a 1/4-inch flat brush—and build up my image with individual strokes.”
Kloss’s use of a single brushstroke to build his images is what sets his work apart. His style combines elements of pointillism with the structured precision of graphic design, resulting in pieces that appear detailed at first glance but reveal themselves as a collection of deliberate marks upon closer inspection.
His approach, rooted in minimalism, feels almost meditative. Each stroke is a small commitment to the whole piece, capturing the artist’s intention without the distraction of blending or overcomplicating the process.
Love for Animals and an Unexpected Theme
One of the most distinctive features of Kloss’s work is his frequent inclusion of animals. But rather than painting wildlife in a traditional, lifelike manner, Kloss’s animals often take on a whimsical role. In one of his earlier collections, Kloss explored the idea of animals as tourists—imagining what it would look like if animals traveled and explored human spaces. “What would animals do if they were tourists?” he recalls thinking. “It was a fun, conceptual project I worked on years ago, and I just loved the idea of mixing animals with human elements in unexpected ways.”
Although not all of Kloss’s work includes animals, many of his pieces feature creatures—from cats to exotic birds—that evoke a sense of personality and curiosity. He often works from reference photos, but his goal is not to replicate reality. Instead, he seeks to capture the essence of the animal, letting his imagination guide the brushstroke rather than adhering to a strict photo-realistic approach.
The Fast-Drying Appeal of Acrylics
Kloss works primarily with acrylic paint, a choice that might surprise those who expect him to use oil paints to achieve the depth of color and texture that many traditional painters favor. However, for Kloss, acrylics offer the speed and control he craves.
“I’m left-handed, and oils just weren’t working for me,” he says. “They take forever to dry, and I need to make quick, definitive strokes. Acrylic dries quickly, and that’s crucial for my technique. I can get a brushstroke down and have it set almost immediately, which allows me to focus on building the image the way I see it in my mind.”
This rapid-drying quality of acrylics pairs perfectly with his minimalist, stroke-based approach. Kloss’s method is intentional and focused—each brushstroke is like a puzzle piece that fits into a greater design.
The Artist’s Process: Memory and Observation
Another key element of Kloss’s work is his use of memory and imagination. “When I paint a building or an animal, I often rely on memory to get the essence of it,” he explains. “I’ll sketch from photos, but when I start painting, I’m not constantly checking the photo. I want it to come from my memory, my imagination. It’s not about creating a literal replica. It’s about capturing the feeling of it.”
Kloss’ Artistic Philosophy
Kloss’s artistic philosophy is rooted in the idea that less is more. While he has experimented with various techniques throughout his career, his passion for simplicity has remained constant. He finds beauty in the most straightforward methods—one brush, one stroke at a time—and creates work that feels clean and purposeful.
His ability to weave together influences from his graphic design background, his love for animals, and his experimental approach to painting has allowed him to carve out a distinctive niche for himself. Kloss’s work challenges the viewer to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be—full of imagination, whimsy, and precision.
As Kloss continues to evolve as an artist, one thing remains clear: he is committed to exploring and expanding the boundaries of what painting can be, one brushstroke at a time.
Where to See His Work
Kloss’s artwork is featured in the halls of the Enger Loft Hotel and Marketplace near North and Shore, located at 1832 W. Superior St. This venue is hosting a Makers Spotlight of his work, alongside Rebekah Rush, from January through March. Additionally, his work will be on display at Lake Superior Brewing from January through April. In July, Kloss is planning an exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium, which will focus on the northern lights.
His pieces are also available at several galleries along the shore. To learn more about Kloss, visit: aaronkloss.com.
