lower gorge, Whanganui River II
freighter aground II
Waimakariri from near Jack's Point III
about Dennis
After graduating in design/illustration, I completed teacher training and began a period of teaching visual art and design at both tertiary and secondary levels.
I retired early from teaching and began drawing and painting to provide an income.
Although I came to painting rather late, it is now a favourite mode of expression; especially drawing and painting with paper and water-based paints.
I keep the range of my materials minimal and have developed strong preferences for the papers and paints I use; on account of both their quality and consistency.
Quality brushes are very expensive, so I tend to use whatever I can afford.
My passion for the NZ outdoors results in my painting subject matter most often being the topography and ‘moods’ of this environment.
Although I enjoy stylized and abstract works, I seem to always come back to naturalistic depictions. Land and sea scapes tend to surround one, so my work is usually (for watercolours) on a large scale.
Unfortunately, this lends itself to studio painting, but I prefer working on location for smaller works.
Spare time is spent maintaining our property and enjoying outdoor adventures and music.
painting recognition
2024:
- Guest artist at Watercolour NZ's annual SPLASH Exhibition, Porirua
2023:
- Guest artist at FAS's Manawatu Art Expo, Palmerston North
2020:
- Commission painting for Horowhenua Mayoral office
2019:
- 'lower gorge, Whanganui River' selected as Artmajeur's 'Editor's Pick' and featured on their home page
2018:
- Runner-up for Signature Peoples' Choice Award, NZ Art Show, Wellington
2016 - 2018:
- Exhibiting at Exhibitions Gallery, Wellington
2015:
- Best Landscape/Seascape Painting, Rotary/Kapiti Observer Art Show, Paraparaumu
- Best Watercolour Painting, Rotary/Kapiti Observer Art Show, Paraparaumu
- First in Peoples' Choice Award, Watercolour NZ's SPLASH Exhibition, Wellington
- Second in Peoples' Choice Award, Watercolour NZ's SPLASH Exhibition, Wellington
2012 - 2015:
- Exhibiting at Taylor-Jensen Gallery, Palmerston North
2012:
- Joint winner of the Supreme Award, Watercolour NZ's Diamond Jubilee SPLASH Exhibition, Wellington
education/training
1999:
- Certificate in Adult Teaching (Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic)
- Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching (Visual Art) (Massey University)
1995 - 1999:
- Graduated Whanganui Design School with B. Computer Graphic Design (Hons, with distinction)
email Dennis
'phone: (06) 3688754
mobile: (027) 354 0041