Conversations with Dan Young

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Young.

Hi Dan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I think my story began like most of the artist painting today. Of course, it’s been a different path for all of us. I was drawing at an early age and my mother was an artist. She encouraged me but I’m sure she didn’t think I would go down this path. After trying several other occupations, I had a friend tell me about the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver. It was an advertising and design school. It was a great start for me in the art world. When I graduated, I had a portfolio full of illustrations which gave me somewhere to start. I landed a job right out of school as an on staff illustrator which was a rare and fortunate opportunity. The job only lasted a few years, but I was working with a wonderful group of supportive artists. We drew every day which really helped me quickly improve my drawing skills. I was in Dallas and when I was interviewing for another job. I kept hearing the same thing, “We aren’t hiring, but I can use you for freelance illustration work. That lasted a few more years before I got the bright idea to jump ship and move back to Colorado and paint. It’s probably good I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be. I went from someone telling me what to paint and being willing to pay for it, to painting what I wanted and hoping someone liked it enough to buy it. That was 1989 and I haven’t looked back.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is the importance of the process. When I started painting, I had money in the bank and I thought it would last a lot longer than it did. When I got into a few galleries, my work wasn’t very good and sales were few and far between. I didn’t realize how much I had to learn and hone my skills. It was important to do the miles on the brush and there were no shortcuts. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t trade those early years figuring out how I was going to approach painting.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I have matured as an artist, well at least the artist part. I’ve learned the importance of slowing down and being a better observer. I still spend a lot of time out in the field, but it’s not always painting. I wander, sit, sketch, and photograph just as often as I paint.

What makes you happy?
Happy for me; all revolves around being outside. My connection with my subject is a big part of who I am. If I can create a painting that captures the feel of a scene I’m standing in front of, that’s a happy day at the office. When a collector tells me about owning one of my paintings and how they love looking at it every day because it makes them happy, makes me way happy!

Pricing:

• Small works start at $1500
• Larger works range from 12,000 to 18,000.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.danyoungstudio.com/
• Instagram: @danyoungstudio