Original Paintings by Dennis Sirrine
"23-Skidoo" (app. 6'x3')
DENNIS SIRRINE
VELVET MILL STUDIOS
22 Bayview Avenue, Studio E,
Stonington, CT 06378
860.287.9320
Sirrinedesign.blogspot.com dennissirrine@att.net
Artist’s statement:
“My work is ever– evolving, leaning towards representational painting with hints of impressionism. Often I will begin alla prima, without preliminary drawing, both in studio and en plein air, using various techniques depending on the work’s direction. My paintings are truly serene, whether depicting the quiet side of a city or embracing the solitude of a countryside or seascape. They are visual meditations that beckon viewers to discover their own inner calm.”
Addendum
My move to this wonderful space was precipitated by the realization that I needed to change some things in my life. Part of that change was letting go of some deep-seeded emotions that I'd kept hidden inside for a very long time. Prior to moving to the Velvet Mill I went through a transformation that resulted in a fury of abstracts that were a release of these emotions. I remember being asked by a very good friend of mine several years ago why I didn't paint something that was coming from the soul...just letting it out without trying to illustrate something that everyone can recognize. Non-objective painting, if you will. It took many years of self-denial before I allowed that to happen. Perhaps part of moving on was to let go of the objects or denials that were holding me back. This freedom of expression might have been my own bit of exorcism. I grew tired of painting just "pretty pictures". Now, I'm not saying I won't be painting any more pretty pictures if I want butter on my bread. Sometimes the object will be very obvious; other times not. I don't know what direction my work will go, but I'm still trying to let that guilt go when the urge to express myself takes over.
Bio:
Born June 3rd, 1947 in Midland, Michigan, Dennis Sirrine graduated in 1968 with honors in Fine Arts/Illustration from Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, MI and earned a B.F.A. in Painting at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. He spent three years abroad studying the Old Masters, painted in Italy and France, and toured throughout India before returning to the States.
Sirrine has served on the Board as Chairman of the Art Committee at the Salmagundi Art Club in New York City, and in Connecticut currently serves on the Exhibition Committee of Mystic Arts Center and the Board of Directors of Lyme Art Association. Sirrine recently opened his own studio/gallery in the Velvet Mill building, 22 Bayview Avenue, Stonington, CT.
Awards:
2010: Providence Art Club's Open Painting 2010 Exhibition -- Honorable Mention;
Mystic Arts Center Elected Artists Exhibition -- Honorable Mention
Best-in-Show, Chabot Fine Art Gallery, Providence, RI
2008: AAPL Grand National Exhibition, Claude Parson Memorial Award for Landscape; Mystic Arts Center 52nd Regional Show, People’s Choice Award
2007: Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Best Work by Local Artist; Glastonbury, CT “On the Green” Show 3rd Place Oils
2006: Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Founder’s Award; Artist’s Magazine 23rd Annual Art Competition, Honorable Mention Landscape; Mystic Arts Center, Honorable Mention
2005: Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, First Place Oils
2004: Glastonbury, CT “On the Green” Show, Second Place Oils; Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Second Place Oils, Niantic, CT Outdoor Arts & Crafts Show, First Place Oils; New Milford, CT Outdoor Art Show, Best In Show; Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit NYC, Ulric Bell Memorial Award and Samuel Ballin Memorial Award
2003: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit NYC, Rose Parsons Memorial Award and Honorable Mention; Ridgewood, NJ Art Institute, Williams Landscape Award
2002: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit NYC, Samuel Ballin Memorial Award; 8th Kennedy Plaza Fine Arts Show, Honorable Mention; National Art League 72nd Open Art Exhibit, Honorable Mention; Ridgewood, NJ Art Institute, Williams Landscape Award
2002- 2003: Skylands Art Exhibit NJ, George W. Morville Sr. Memorial Award, Outstanding New Skylands Artist Award, Tranquility Frameworks Award
1997-2008: Salmagundi Club NYC, Jane Impastato Award, SCNY Honorable Mention, Martin Hannon Memorial Award, Arthur T. Hill Memorial Award, Elliot Liskin Memorial Award, Troy Murgatroy SCNY Award, D. Wu & Elsie Ject–Key Memorial Award, John N. Lewis Memorial Award
