This April, Blue Rain Gallery will be pairing the work of two illustrators-turned-fine artists, Dennis Ziemienski and Tony De Luz, for a duo exhibition that celebrates nostalgia and vintage aesthetic.
“In the dynamic realm of art, two extraordinary talents, Dennis Ziemienski and Tony De Luz, have embarked on an inspiring journey from the precise world of illustration to the vibrant canvas of painting,” says Shella Huggett, manager of Blue Rain’s Durango, Colorado, location.
Dennis Ziemienski, Big Red Bandana, oil on canvas, 40 x 36 in.
“Their transition not only signifies a shift in mediums but also a profound exploration of artistic expression, unveiling rich creativity.”
De Luz has been an illustrator for more than 40 years, creating work for clients such as Absolut Vodka and the US Postal Service. “Very recently I made a conscious decision to devote myself more to the world of fine art,” he says. “In my case, I’ve watched the illustration world dry up some, thanks to stock art and AI, a preference for photography, etc. But, the lessons learned in the demanding, competitive world of illustration really helped me stay aware of craftsmanship and its importance in the sort of art I do. The joy in painting, for me, as compared to illustration, is that I’m painting my vision of the world...[and] the things that turn me on as a subject…I paint what I want, what I enjoy.”
Dennis Ziemienski, Quarter Slot, oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in.
Ziemienski’s work in the upcoming exhibition includes the oils Big Red Bandana and Quarter Slot. “I’ve always been partial to painting cowgirls. Big Red Bandana is a tribute inspired by my wife and daughter and their love of horses and riding.” Discussing Quarter Slot, he says, “Objects lost to time are another one of a number of subjects I’ve enjoyed depicting, like radios, telephones, typewriters and phonographs. There is a simple elegance in an old quarter slot machine.”
Tony De Luz, Indian Scout, acrylic on canvas, 19¼ x 15¼ in.
Ziemienski adds that he is delighted to be showing with De Luz, a fellow illustrator who made the transition to fine art painter. “Our work can have similar subject matter, but this show has a variety of my interests which makes the exhibit unique… I paint what inspires me, whether it’s an illustration or a painting. The main difference for me is that one is guaranteed income and the other is a gamble.”
Tony De Luz, End of the Road, gouache on watercolor paper, 13¾ x 25¼ in.
De Luz adds, “Let me say first that I’m honored to even be in the same sentence, much less the same article, and the same gallery, with an artist like Dennis Ziemienski. His credentials as an illustrator—Super Bowl art, work for Levi Strauss, among many others—speak for themselves. I feel like Dennis and I were bound to end up in the same place one day.”
An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Friday, April 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. —
Blue Rain Gallery 934 Main Avenue, Unit B, Durango, CO 81301, (970) 232-2033, www.blueraingallery.com
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