Time Travel Painting

ARTIST STATEMENT: My art is a reflection of the abstract life I lead; often times calming and peaceful, other times frenzied and chaotic. My work has been described as loose and free flowing, yet structured and detailed - all the while, maintaining an "organic" feel. Creating a painting can be challenging. When I pick up a brush, pallet knife, or even a spatula to start a new piece, I rarely have an idea or concept in mind. I literally and figuratively start with a blank canvas and see where my mind takes me. My mood, the music I am listening to, and countless other factors in my life ultimately influence the colors, intensity, and complexity of the piece. Creating illusions of nature using acrylic, with the occasional inclusion of gold or silver, infuses the work with the energy I feel while painting. It's my hope that as the viewer becomes lost in the work, they become charged with that same energy, while still experiencing the peaceful sense of visiting a strange and wonderful place. ABOUT DENNIS: Dennis Sheil grew up in a small town in Iowa, and after spending 20 years in the Air Force, now lives in the Napa Valley area of northern California. As a long time art collector, he has been surrounded by the beauty of art for many years. This constant influence of art surrounding him fueled his passion for painting - as it still does to this day. In addition to being an artist, he is an Office Engineer for a construction management firm and a restaurateur. Being a business man, he must stay focused on the details of his day-to-day activities. He says "abstract and non-representational painting gives me an opportunity to let go of the finite, structured details I deal with on a daily basis. It is incredibly liberating and rewarding to be able to "˜dump the data, let loose, and let the paint flow." Dennis is very interested in the effects of both color and texture, and enjoys blending his passion of those with abstract imagery. The organic look and feel of his work brings a refined and developed feel to his paintings through a unique balance of composition, color, and texture. Delighted to be following his passion in life, Dennis expresses his love and enthusiasm for art in each painting! By removing most "objects" he creates something organic with a story only the current observer can relate to.