Kent Broadbent, a long-time resident of the Annawan, Illinois area, grew up on the family farm his great grandfather purchased in 1865, and later built a house on. Kent, and his wife Cheryl, still serve as caretakers to that homestead. Kent attended a small rural school and developed an interest in art when he was 12 years old. His mother believed that Kent, and his siblings, needed to develop their talents, and encouraged them to develop and enjoy their skills and interests. The high school that Kent attended did not have art classes, so his mother helped him get into night art classes from a local teacher, and to his delight, she later joined him in the classes. Kent has fond memories of that time in his life.

As time went on, Kent departed the family farm to attend Illinois State University. Although he graduated with a degree in Psychology, he took numerous painting and sculpture classes,and continued to take drawing classes at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois after his graduation. He returned to the family farm, and took over the farming operation. Shortly after returning to the area, he married the love of his life, Cheryl. Kent dabbled in painting, for a short time after he returned to the farm, but life got in the way. He later worked in the financial industry as a loan officer, for the bulk of his career. During that period of his life, the time spent on art diminished. He always had it in the back of his mind, that when he retired, the brushes would once again be full of fresh paint. In 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer, and decided to again pursue his interest in art. He was painting again with new vigor with a new found love and appreciation of life, and art.

His joy of painting is evident to this day, with the vivid colors he uses, and the energy of his personal style. Kent believes the cancer diagnosis was a blessing in disguise, and serves as his inspiration to create art. His preferred medium is directed towards abstract expressionist lines, although he occasionally dabbles in abstract landscapes, from the scenes he deems of interest. During the last five years, he has been working exclusively in cold wax and oil, and loves the unique depth and richness that medium provides. He has won numerous awards for his expressed work, and his paintings are on permanent display in various regional locales. His first solo exhibit was in 2015, and he Mr. Broadbent has been selling work to private collectors, since that time. He continues to be very active in the art arena, and does solo and duel exhibitions, along with juried shows.

His website is: broadbentart.com and he welcomes inquiries at broadbent.kent@gmail.com.