Having grown up in the rural mountain area west of Denver Colorado in Evergreen, Dennis’ environment made his imagination explore and he often would draw his daydreams. As a child often times being snowed in and with no television reception in those days, he would make drawings for his brother and sister so they would have something to color in. His interest in drawing lead him to make an effort with paints and brushes until he taught himself how to paint. He sold his first picture at the age of 14 to a Jr. High School Teacher. Over the years he has worked to develop his skills by studying and emulating his favorite artists such as Frederick Remington and Charles Russell. Still today his skills and talents are constantly evolving and with every project something is learned and gained to make him a better artist.
Living a western lifestyle where the family had horses and other farm animals, influenced Dennis’ desire to paint wildlife and nature. Although his wide range of interests account for the diversity of his subject matter such as Cowboys and Indians, horse, pets, motorcycles and cars. Dennis paint in acrylic and oils, but his the ability to use many other mediums and has developed colored pencils into his own style.
“Life seamed to always force me down some other road than being an artist but I always maintained my passion for art and would find the time to incorporate it into my work. I always look at everything through an Artist’s eye. It seem everything turns into an art project for me.”
Married since 1981, Dennis and his wife Joan live in the Wagoner, OK. Dennis continues to pursue his passion his painting and for the arts .
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I have spent a lot of time thinking about what does it mean to say, “I AM AN ARTIST”. Art takes so many forms. There are so many people with such towering talent that it always felt like hubris to say it out loud. I am a scribbler, I am a doodler, I am a dabbler, but an artist??! I have been told it is a fool’s errand and a dead end. I have been told I am NOT an artist because I have no income from my endeavors, because I do not have “a narrative”, a definitive statement or even my own style. It became distasteful to even associate myself with the word, ARTIST. Painful. Because I have the soul of an artist. I cry out to create with every fiber of my being. And when I cannot find an outlet for my creative expression, I languish. Art is a spiritual thing. It is unique to every person who picks up a brush, a pen, a lump of clay and out of creates something new. Art is transformative. It transforms not only the medium, but the artist – and hopefully another and another who sees it. Art is magic. It eludes narrow definition. For any who struggle with owning their magic, go into the bathroom. Stand in from of the mirror – right now – and say it out loud, “I AM AN ARTIST”. Say it like you mean it. Say it until you believe it. Believe in magic.”
UNKNOWN AUTHOR/ARTIST