Biography

 

Dan was raised in Minneapolis, MN, where from an early age he was provided with the necessary support and opportunities he would need to develop his skills as an artist. At the age of eleven, he was enrolled in an art education course and he continued to draw and paint with watercolors throughout his Jr. High and High School years.

After having served a mission for the LDS Church, Dan accepted scholarships to study Fine Art and Illustration under Del Parson (Dixie College) and Perry Stewart (Southern Utah University) with a particular interest in painting the human form.  He began pursing illustration work during which time, Dan completed roughly 200 illustrations for LDS Publications such as Ensign, Liahona, New Era, and The Friend magazines, as well as various lesson manuals. Other clients have included Deseret Book, Southern Virginia University, Adoption LLC, Pocatello Children’s Clinic, Idaho Fish & Game, and numerous portrait clients. Since 2003, Dan has participated in the Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show (St. George, UT) as well as the Shenandoah Invitational Art Show (Buena Vista, Virginia) where he has received awards for his oil paintings and pastel work including the Shenandoah Invitational People’s Choice Award in 2005, and again in 2008. In 2009, his work was juried into Paint America’s Paint the Parks Mini50 and 2nd50 competitions.

In May 2013, Dan received his degree in Secondary Art Education from Idaho State University where he graduated with High Honors. He enjoys teaching and hopes to touch others’ lives by sharing his love of art. Through his continued education, Dan has also recently discovered a passion for sculpture and has been experimenting with various sculpting mediums and processes. Whether working in two or three dimensions, Dan is particularly intrigued with the interaction of light and shadow, contrasting textures, and natural color. Often coaxing the people closest to him to act as his models, his goal is to accurately express the simple innate beauty of the world around him in a respectful, honest manner.

Dan lives in Downey, Idaho with his wife, Jodi and their five children. He has been active in his community as a volunteer EMT and is currently serving as the LDS Bishop of their local congregation. He uses every possible free moment to draw, color, paint, sculpt, and play with his kids….and then help Jodi clean up the messes they make.