AGP Members Spotlight: Denny Holland

The Art Guild of Pacifica is a dynamic collection of people that are rich in capabilities, artistic experience, teamwork, and most of all talent.  There is so much talent that I wish I could blog about every single AGP member all at once.  I’ll have to settle for one member at a time, this time focusing on artist Denny Holland.

Denny Holland is one of four artists featured in this year’s Art Guild of Pacifica Member Show at Sanchez Art Center.  He considers being featured an unexpected honor, but we like him for so much more than just that!

Waterline, 16" x 20", oil on panel

In the AGP Members Show, Denny presents a series of ocean paintings focused on waves.  His style is primarily realistic and in oils, but with this series, he became fascinated by the wave’s abstract patterns. This show gave him the opportunity to deeply explore the line between realism and abstraction.

Denny is an artist living and working in the Bay Area, and he’s been painting for 30 years.  He attended the San Francisco Art Institute, and in 1983 graduated with a BFA in painting. Then, as a newly married man starting a family, he discovered how difficult it was to get work around that skill specifically.  So, Denny started a house painting business, and for the next 25 years it gave him flexibility to paint.

Denny's Trailer from "Travelogue"

Over the last two years, Denny has been teaching interior design at Canadá College and doing design work himself.  Of course, creativity and personal interest meet at the intersection of art. So, he explored three dimensional arts, such as the small trailer that was in Oceana Gallery’s show, “Travelogue”.  While 3D art is reminiscent of building models as a child, it also keeps his creativity fresh and new. From time to time, Denny needs a different creative outlet, but in the end it always comes back to oil painting.

Remember this from AGP's "Buddy Show"?

The creative elements Denny learns eventually blend together in a personal exploration of art that is largely inspired by living on the Coast and his various Coastline travels.   Many artists I speak with feel this way.  As Denny states, “we’re living in a gold mine of inspiration, really.”   I agree with him wholeheartedly. When you view his work and experience it’s soothing, calming and even atmospheric effects, you will understand Denny’s personal inspiration, and come to appreciate his work as much as I do.

Denny's Studio

You can see more of Denny’s work at www.dennyholland.com and on his blog at http://dennyhollandstudio.blogspot.com/.  He is highly focused on the AGP Members Show at this time, but immediately after will set painting aside for a time to do more three dimensional art. 

The Art Guild of Pacifica’s 54^th Annual Members Exhibit will be at Sanchez Art Center,1220 Linda Mar Boulevard, Pacifica, California  94044.  The show opens with a lovely reception on Friday evening, October 12, from 7 to 9 p.m.   Thereafter, the exhibit continues through November 18, 2012.

Blogged by Donna L. Faber

AGP Secretary

donnalouisefaber.com