KOUBA
GALLERY
Although Les Koubas life has passed, his memories and impressions live
on in each of his paintings, expressing for all time the simple joys and
day-to-day pleasures of an American way of life.
Where the McLeod County Historical Society now stands, the famous artist Kouba once lived just two miles north. Kouba had such strong ties with McLeod county, that he himself helped in the initial construction of the McLeod County Historical Society which was built in 1988. To help get funding started, Kouba made special edition painting for the Historical Society. Prints of this work were giving to those who made donations to the Historical Society. Thus the McLeod County Historical Society has designated an area of their museum to Les Kouba and his work.
Kouba grew up on a farm but took up painting early in life. Kouba sold
his first painting at age 11 and has sold thousands more since. He has
won many prestigious awards including the Federal Duck Stamp in 58 and
67. He has had work published in many popular magazines and commercial
products. He was a hunter, fisherman,nature lover,collector of Indian
artifacts and an American family man.
Kouba is widely known as the artist of thirteen. All of his paintings
have 13 birds in them. He has designed several famous logos from Coca
Cola, Schmidt's Beer, Old Dutch foods, to Red Owl packaging. He helped
invent the first upright projector and was the first to put farm buildings
in his work.
In 1937 Kouba created a Little Crow statue that was placed in front the
the Crow River Dam in Hutchinson. In 1982 he was asked to create a new,
updated Little Crow Statue. The original has been placed here at the McLeod
County Historical Society and the current statue can still be viewed in
front of the dam.
Copies of Kouba's specialized painting for the Historical Society can
still be received from donations. If you would like a print of Kouba's
painting give us an email at: info@mcleodhistory.org
Kouba was an American Hero. He optimized the characteristics that have
made our country great; committment to a goal, personal integrity, hard
work, good ideas and a handful of luck.
To learn more about Kouba and see more of his artwork, come visit the McLeod County Historical Society, located in Hutchinson. We have a large showcase of Kouba's works including autographed work, original prints and everything there is to know about Les Kouba.