Site Content
The Watercolor Paintings of John Louis Kokalis...
SEASCAPES
WESTERN SCENES
A Distinctive and Diverse Style
John Louis Kokalis, a native of Michigan, has spent a lifetime painting the scenes he knows and loves best. As a lifelong sailor, he spent years exploring the unique seaside communities of Michigan and Canada that border the Great Lakes. His lighthouse and seascape paintings are rich and authentic, reflecting his knowledge and love of the sea. His prairie landscapes of Western Oklahoma and New Mexico, are fresh and striking. His Floral are vivid and original. John has conducted and attended numerous watercolor workshops over the years. However, he says, his painting style is mainly self-taught.
Currently, Johns painting of the tragic sinking of the Great Lakes Freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, and a series on Great Lakes Lighthouses, are on display at the Ship Museum Valley Camp, in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. You can see those by clicking on the three bars and MORE SURF & TURF.
Over the years, Johns paintings have been exhibited in art shows in Michigan, Texas and more recently in Oklahoma, at the Paseo Gallery One, and the 50 Penn Place Gallery in Oklahoma City. His religious wall murals can be seen in the new addition at First United Methodist Church in Denton, Texas. Text at 940-367-3620
Artistic Surf and Turf
Ludington Lighthouse
Behind the lighthouse are the "Three Sisters", dunes covered with forest right down to the beech along Lake Michigan. These sailors spent the night at sea, unable to enter the harbor due to the storm on Lake.
Lighthouse At Peggy's Cove
Peggy's Cove, on the east coast of Nova Scotia, is a windswept place. A beacon for the local boaters and for the ships arriving to the coast of North America.
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Michigan
The Great Lakes, in the winter, is a cold, windy place. And, this lighthouse, stationed on northern Lake Superior, catches the winds off of the Great Plains, coming from Wisconsin, and by the time those winds cross the lake, they are reaching high levels when they crash on the shore.
Skipper
It is not at all unusual for sailors to have animals along when they go to sea. Dogs, and cats, are great comfort, and often are great guards as well.
Harbor Springs Inlet
One of the best kept secrets on Lake Michigan is the little town of Harbor Springs. This painting depicts the old cannery row, which today is a remnant of another time.
Fowl Weather
Fowl weather or foul weather - whatever you call it, the seagulls are going to meet and congregate, because that's what they do.
Go'in Fishing
Morning on the Inter-Coastal Waterway, in South Carolina, is the perfect time to have a cup of coffee, pull together your fishing gear and see what you can catch. You can try, first, the shoreline under the trees, and if that doesn't get you any action, then you can move out towards the channel going out to the Alantic Ocean, where you just might get one or two of the big ones. What ever you decide, you can be sure the experience will be one to remember.
Evening Sail
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Evening Sail
A sailors treat, packing a bottle of wine, some snacks and a jacket for later on, and going out for an evening sail with family and friends. You can watch the sun go down, then search for the navigation lights along the North Channel. You might even see an ocean freighter heading south.
Coming Home
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Evening Sail
Shrimper heading back home. A common site on the Gulf of Mexico, along the Louisiana coast. And, the catch, the taste of fresh caught shrimp, served on an old newspaper with corn-on-the-cob, a bowl of red-beans and rice, and washed down with a cold beer. A Cajun Feast!
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
On a clear day, this lighthouse can see the snow on Mount Rainer and the shores of Canada and the United States. The San Juan Islands are a sailors paradise, giving shelter from the heavy weather that comes off the Pacific Ocean.
Big Red Lighthouse
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Heading out of the Holland, Michigan Channel onto Lake Michigan on a clear day you'll pass Big Red. If the wind is out of the south, you can turn to the north, and sail up the coast and visit small seaside communities that will welcome all visitors.
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Fall has come to the Great Lakes and a stiff breeze from the north is announcing a cold front on its way. You'll need to dress warm if you decide to walk on the beech, and a thermos of hot chocolate and a friend you can warm-up too would be good, too.
Bucking The Storm
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Every sailor gets caught in a squall or a weather front that causes wind and high waves. When that happens, all you can do is ride it out. This boat is bucking the waves, hoping the weather will change so he can head back to port.
A Nova Scotia View
A Tropical Island Evening
A Nova Scotia View
Visiting Nova Scotia you will soon note the atmosphere has changed. The Canadian province is on a 1950's schedule, with the locals enjoying the moment, and moving to a different time.
Peggy's Cove
A Tropical Island Evening
A Nova Scotia View
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, a favorite tourist site, and yet a reminder of other times, before GPS, when the mariner needed help to navigate to avoid the shoals and rocks near shore.
A Tropical Island Evening
A Tropical Island Evening
A Tropical Island Evening
An evening view. My experience in the Pacific was on an Aircraft Carrier in the 1950's. Yet, this is a typical site on Hawaii, or Midway Island, or any one of a thousand other coral islands.
A Bridge To Charleston
A Bridge To Charleston
A Tropical Island Evening
In this painting, the Ashley Memorial Bridge at Charleston, is viewed from the Isle Of Palms, on the Inter-Coastal Waterway. This, a morning scene, the boat is ready to catch some fish, or just an opportunity to explore.
A Nova Scotia View #2
A Bridge To Charleston
A Nova Scotia View #2
Don't miss the opportunity to visit Nova Scotia, the maritime province of Canada. The people are a hoot, the seafood is exceptional, especially if you love scallops and cod. And, you get to step back 60 years in time, slow down, and enjoy life!
The Solo Sail
A Bridge To Charleston
A Nova Scotia View #2
This painting commemorates the solo sail of my son, Johnny, from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, to Key Biscayne Florida, a trip of about 1200 miles. This was his first attempt, and he did it with courage and professional skill.
House On The Cliff
This white house is on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Jenner California. In this painting the ocean has a strong surf and off-shore the island is shrouded in intermittent fog. The weather and the appearance of the water is always changing - yet, always beautiful and always mysterious.
The painting below is a common site in the Gulf of Mexico, where the shrimpers come in with their catch. On the right, is the painting of a typical Nova Scotia scene.
Artistic Turf - The Great Plains
Grazing
The High Plains, where the cattle feed on dry-grass and the wind blows out of the mountains like a gale at sea. It's a tough world for man or beast. But, it's part of America The Beautiful.
Homestead Forgotten
This homestead in Oklahoma dates back to the late 1800's. Those who settled the Oklahoma Territory found fertile soil and built their sod or clay brick homesteads, tilled their land and raised families here. It's the story of America!
Gettin' Shade
Throughout Western Oklahoma many of the ranches have tree-rows growing along the fence-lines and roads. The trees were planted in the 1930's, under a government program, to shield the fields from the wind and top-soil erosion. And, that's where the cattle love to congregate when the weather is hot.
About Us
High Cotton
Southwestern Oklahoma in the Fall of the year, ready for the cotton to be picked.
Ghost Mound in Northwest Oklahoma
Beautiful, yet hostile. Created over millions of years, a part of the American west that attracts thousands of visitors each year to explore its wonders. Only the birds have seen it all.
High Plains Ranch
Southwestern Oklahoma, and the painting pretty much looks like the scene. The cattle, the windmill, the open barn and the Wichita Mountains are all a part of this spectacular view. It's also, a way of life for many living on the Great Plains of America.
Drought
This was a common site in the 1930's. Because of the drought ranchers, unable to plant a money crop or raise cattle, had to either pick up and leave or just wait for a miracle to bring much needed rain. Most stayed on their land to ride out the miserable conditions. Another story of American life.
Home On The Range
The blackbirds are taking their post along the power lines and on the dead tree branches, bending to the prevailing winds. Yes, all were there when this scene was painted. Water running down the ruts in the road reflecting the sky, as the rain passes - that was artistic license! The trailer was there, home for many living on the Great Plains of America!
Mountain Spring
Spring comes to the Rocky Mountains in fits and starts, with snow melting in the upper elevation firsts. But, just when you think spring is here, a huge freeze or snow storm tells you, "Not so Fast".
Morning On The Prairie
This old home has been there for a hundred years, but its days are now numbered. Some of the old homesteads and ranches are now falling down in Western Oklahoma. In some ways, this is sad, but in others it's also hopeful.
Snow'd In
So, honker down, make some chili and a good fire, and relax, because you're not going anywhere for awhile.
Gettin' A Drink
Even cattle like to socialize. Here, mother and daughter are enjoying their morning walk down and drink from the watering hole.
Washing Day On The Prairie
There are periods when this is the Western Prairie of America, stark, and void of life. Yet, a warm rain can bring the wildflowers and grass back to life in a few minutes.
Something Else For Your Eye
Berries
First Iris's
Wisteria In An Oriental Vase
Caladium's - From Aggie's Garden
Flowers are an excellent subject for the watercolor painter. Capturing the odd shapes and patterns of the flowers and foliage is challenging, but satisfying when one steps back to see the final results.
Cactus Flowers & Hollyhocks
Paintings With A Story
Carried Away
Vanessa, the little girl, was six years old, as depicted in this watercolor painting. She grew up on a ranch in Northwestern Oklahoma, where her family raised wheat. This is the same area where the dustbowl devastated a generation of families, driving many of them off the land. The children and grand children of those who stayed, today continue to till the land!
Don't Get Wet!
The simplicity of this subject speaks for itself. It was painted for friends, from a photograph of their grand daughter, and the subject was perfect. Children are hard to resist.
Waiting in Atlanta
A painting of lady sitting in the airport in Atlanta, I noticed this lady and immediately took her picture. Not wanting to ignore her concern, I walked over to her and introduced myself, and let her know I wanted to paint her. With the agreement I would give her a print of the painting, she agreed, and told me she was African and Cherokee, and that she lived in Dallas. The photo was an opportunity to find a great subject and get to know a great lady.