Bio

Kiechle was the cartoon background artist at Lantz Studio from 1935 to 1941, where he was “the only artist for the entire slate of Universal cartoons at the time” and was instrumental in the stylistic transition to more lush and vibrant backgrounds. While at Lantz studio, Kiechle worked with various directors, including with Elmer Perkins to develop Charlie Cuckoo (who some have remarked to be a predecessor to Woody Woodpecker) and created the production artwork for various cartoons, including Andy Panda, which was among the first cartoons for the studio released in three-strip Technicolor, further amplifying Kiechle’s lavish backgrounds. Walter Lantz once said that Kiechle is the person in his life from whom he learned the most about painting.

While a cartoon background artist at Universal, he would walk around the lot, painting and sketching on the movie sets in front of directors while on his breaks, hoping to one day work in the Art Department for feature films. Kiechle’s work must not have gone unnoticed. After nine years as a background artist, he became an illustrator, sketch artist and set designer for motion pictures by 1942.

After joining the Universal Art Department, Kiechle’s art caught the attention of Ida Lupino, who commissioned a portrait of her sister. Soon Helmut Dantine, Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin, Hedy Lamarr, Georgie Hale and Preston Sturges all also bought Kiechle’s art. After Kiechle’s first public showing in a Motion Picture Artists exhibition in 1945, Kiechle exhibited regularly throughout California . In 1947, Kiechle was invited to include his oil “City Rain” in the prestigious California Palace of Legion of Honor Exhibition in San Francisco. In addition to individual and invitation shows, Kiechle’s work has been included in exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Art, and numerous other galleries and juried shows.

By the 1950’s, Kiechle was critically acclaimed as a regional artist. He drew the set sketches for Hollywood classics such as:

A Quite Man (1952)
An Affair to Remember (1957)
Spartacus (1960)

In addition, Kiechle’s oils appeared in various other motion pictures, some of which were lent
from Universal’s collection of Kiechle’s art:

Imitation of Life (1959, starring Lana Turner)
Pillow Talk (1959, starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day)
Portrait in Black (1960, starring Lana Turner, Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart, SandraDee)
Lover Come Back (1961, starring Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Edie Adams)
For Love or Money (1963, starring Kirk Douglas, Mitzi Gaynor, and Gig Young).

Art critic Arthur Millier called Kiechle “a born painter,” saying he had “a gift for suggesting atmosphere and is one of the best painters of night in this region.” Although Kiechle died in 1960 at the age of 49, his artwork and legacy lives on.

This site currently showcases a small fraction of the artwork Kiechle created during his life and career. The site is managed and operated by the family Kiechle. More of his work will be added as time and logistics permits so check back often or follow us on twitter!