How I approach my artwork
ln my artwork I try to transform a piece of paper or canvas into its own world. ln one sense its similar to the dioramas at the Milwaukee Public Museum, which I always enjoyed visiting as a child (and I still do). You get to see these small worlds and momentarily step into them and then move on to the next one and experience something completely different. There's something about that sense of wonder which I'm trying to capture.
I experience something similar when I take my camera with me trout fishing and drive around the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin. There's a certain richness to the colors of the waters where the shapes emerge and the rolling hills seem to interlock, which inspires my work. I take a lot of photos, which freeze the moment and capture a sense of place. lt keeps me constantly looking and training my eye to see the patterns. A combination of these photos then gel together in my mind to become the building blocks for memories that translate into my artwork, whether it is an oil painting, a pastel sketch, an ink wash or drawing, or some combination of these media.
When I start a mixed media piece, there's not a set image in mind; I start with large shapes and through adding and subtracting an image/concept begins to emerge. Ultimately I am creating a visual environment where the objects live - a fascinating place in time that draws you in with the richness of colors and shape and triggers memories of the fleeting magical moments experienced in life.
For a sample of Dan’s artwork, please visit 1stDibs
