When he was in fourth grade, Kim Norlien’s Sunday School teacher saw a picture of a fish he’d drawn and told him he had talent. In ninth grade, he entered an art contest held by the Star Tribune and was asked to attend their art school. Unfortunately, it took nearly 20 years before he once again heard words of encouragement about his art.

 

Norlien took numerous art classes throughout high school, but was advised by a teacher not to pursue it as a career because it was too difficult. Instead he signed up for the printing program at Minneapolis Technical Institute (today known as Minneapolis Community and Technical College). 

 

He hated it immediately and requested to be transferred to the school’s commercial art program. The head instructor told him he didn’t have the talent, but there was an opening in the program so he was admitted anyway. 

 

Starting out as an average student, he learned quickly and graduated at the top of his class. (He was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2006).

 

After graduating in 1977, Norlien took a job in Honeywell’s art department putting together technical manuals, which he stuck with for over eight years. After leaving, he freelanced for the next three years before getting an interview at K & K Art & Associates.

 

As the artist behind the Marlboro Man, the owner of the company was one of the top figure artists in the country. He didn’t like Norlien’s talent, however the sales representative did, and he was hired.

 

“It was stressful but I learned a lot,” said Norlien. “Less than two years later I opened my own studio but it failed because I was naïve about how to run it.”

 

Around 1990 he began having major financial troubles – he had a new house, his fourth child had just been born, and his freelance work was hit and miss.

 

At times he felt like a loser, but then he heard the Lord speak to him, telling him he’d go through seven years of difficult times to humble him and develop his heart.

 

“That’s when I started painting,” said Norlien. “When I didn’t have work, I was teaching myself.”

 

The publisher he showed his first completed painting to turned him down. (That same painting later won a national award in Kansas City).

 

“The reason I started painting in such detail was because none of the publishers wanted a new artist,” said Norlien. “So, I went above and beyond to make myself stand out.”

 

A publisher finally signed Norlien, but after two years didn’t renew his contract. Another publisher picked him up and less than two years later his contract again wasn’t renewed.

 

In 1998 Norlien won the Minnesota pheasant stamp competition; the next year he won the state duck stamp. Suddenly doors broke open for him and he and his wife started their own publishing company. It was seven years after he’d heard his message from God.

 

“I think it was God’s grace I didn’t give up,” he said. “He’s allowed me to get this far.”

 

Today Norlien is a nationally-known artist, trademarked as the “Painter of Peace and Tranquility,” whose work is also sold in a number of countries overseas. Along with his prints, his art has been licensed for numerous products in all the big box stores. 

 

Norlien creates incredibly detailed nostalgia and wildlife scenes in his award-winning paintings; he’s currently published over 65 originals and has over 250 images available for licensing.

 

Where his work is perhaps most well-known, however, is on puzzles. He signed with Masterpiece puzzles in 2002, and in 2014 he moved over to Buffalo Games, the biggest puzzle company in the country.

 

Norlien is also known for the hidden images in his paintings.

 

“In my paintings, I hide a lot of things,” he said. “Usually it’s critters, but sometimes I’ll put in a Bible verse. It’s always rewarding to hear how people have been touched by them over the years.”

 

It takes Norlien three to six months to complete one of his paintings. He estimates thirty percent of that time is spent studying his subjects; he has filing cabinets full of reference materials. 

 

Six years ago, the Norliens moved to Clearwater, where they built an art and gift gallery, The Sanctuary, to showcase and sell his work, as well as mentor other artists.

 

He doesn’t let all the accolades go to his head, saying it can’t be taken too seriously because it’s not reality, but he’s also learned to respect the praise because what he does is a lot of hard work.

 

He gives credit to his wife, Lori, whose been by his side his entire career, as well as the support of friends and family.

 

“It’s such an emotional high after being beat up for 20 years,” said Norlien. “If I couldn’t paint another day of my life I’d be okay with it, because it’s just been a blessing.”

 

Norlien’s art can be viewed and purchased on his website at norlienfineart.com, or at his art and gift gallery located on his home studio property in rural Clearwater.