You have seen Dan's work in stores! His chefs are some of my favorites of his work.
Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?
My BFA is from the Cleveland Institute of Art, 1984. Major in Painting, minor in Drawing.
What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
I am inspired by so many things… mostly from my surroundings here in Wisconsin. I live and work on a small farm. I grow veggies, raise chickens and goats and have a beautiful old stone farm house. The studio is in an 1840 Log house. My work is influenced by the seasons here, the animals that live here and the simplicity of quiet life. There is a sensibility that comes from being rooted in a place and feeling connected to it.
Do you work in just one medium? Several?
I work with watercolor paint for Calendar images, wood and metal for sculpting, photoshop for digital images, textiles for soft goods.
What are you working on now?
I make 5 calendars every year for Andrews McMeel Publishing so that’s 60 paintings, I also create art for 17 other licensees. A new company, Whiskey Mountain, will launch an extensive offering of signs and other decor items in January 2015.
Anything else you want to tell everyone?
Hmmm…. Life is great! I guess the only advice I can offer is to enter the licensing arena without expectation. The business of licensing is a collaboration between artist, manufacturer, production, materials and salesmen. It doesn’t always come together, sometimes it does… the process may not live up to your standards or it may surpass your dreams.
Are you an early riser? or night owl?
Definitely NOT and early riser.. It takes several hours for my brain to activate. COFFEE..
What is your favorite food?
Well, I love to cook so I love to experiment with ingredients. I love to invent dishes using ingredients that are fresh form the garden..
You can find Dan:
dandipaolostudios.blogspot.com
ddipaolo@earthlink.net
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