New York
Dennon Walantus, The Trail Along Deep Bay, oil, 24 x 36.
Art Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
Style: Plein-air landscape painting.
Creative Spark: Light and outdoor conditions really drive my work, so hiking trails and discovering new locations in the Adirondack Mountains of New York can fuel my creativity.
Second-Choice Career: Environmental scientist.
Other Passions: Fishing, hiking, and occasional woodcrafting and carving. One hobby I plan on getting into is cabin-building.
Best Advice Received: To paint what you see, not what you know. This reminds me to observe the world and make each new work unique. One thing some artists get caught up in is painting a symbol for something, like a tree, but no two objects in nature are ever the same.
Pet Peeve: The conflict of creating work for close friends or family. You know they expect you to give them a discount on the work, but in order to make a living, you don’t have the time to spend on a cheap work of art.
Quirkiest Trait: Wanting to wear my pants, boots, and sweaters even in the summer.
Favorite Studio Music: Folk, Americana, including Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie.
Favorite Work by Another Artist: WEST POINT, PROUT’S NECK by Winslow Homer.
Future Goals: To own a permanent residence and studio in the Adirondack Mountains. This area provides endless material to paint from with the four seasons and differing climate conditions.
Price Range: $50 to $1,000.
Representation: Adirondack Interpretive Center, Newcomb, NY; www.dwalantus.com.
This story was featured in the September 2019 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2019 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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