Dean Vallas | 37 Wynkoop Lane, Rhinebeck 12572 |914-456-9983 | Stairs
[email protected] | deanvallas.com

Artist Statement

I have lived in Rhinebeck for 22 years and my work reflects my vision of the landscape, objects and friends. I work in oil, watercolor, tempera, drawing in graphite and ink. My different methods and materials reflect my desire to dare to know the things themselves: nature (during all seasons), portraits of friends or objects such as piles of gourds or fruit boxes, wine crates, etc. I expect that my methods challenge the viewer to see my work from a different perspective.

The basis of my inspiration come from memories and emotions that I glean from the works of other artists in fine art, literature or music. Form, value, and color are all part of my repertoire.

Although I am categorized as a realist artist, I am not, strictly speaking, a painter who creates works that are real. My paintings or drawings are a representation of the thing itself. The image is only real. The work one sees exists in itself, one’s response to the work is informed by the viewer’s interpretation.

As a student of the National Academy of Art and the Art Students League in New York City, I studied with Furman Finck, Ronald Sherr and Mary Beth McKenzie. As an instructor I taught the use of art materials and techniques at the National Academy and Life Drawing in the New York City Adult Education program.