Conversations with Rick Dallago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Dallago.

Rick, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was raised in New York City and spent four decades working in the heart of the Hollywood film industry. As a location scout and producer, I worked on dozens of major studio films, navigating the behind-the-scenes chaos of moviemaking with a sharp eye for detail and a deep instinct for visual storytelling. Some of the films I’ve been involved with include Father of the Bride, The Doors, Blue Crush, Crazy/Beautiful, Into the Blue, and Things Behind the Sun—a film that went on to win both a Peabody and an Edgar Allan Poe Award.

In 2019, I traded soundstages and backlots for the open skies of Colorado. It was there, surrounded by a new creative community, that I began painting—an instinctive shift that evolved into a compelling second act. As a self-taught artist, I approach the blank canvas with the same sensibilities I honed in film: strong narrative arcs, intentional composition, bold color palettes, and a filmmaker’s grasp of depth and atmosphere.

My paintings, often laced with irony and rich in social commentary, are designed to provoke thought. I’m not interested in shock for shock’s sake, but I do believe art should hold a mirror up to society—sometimes we need to see ourselves clearly, even if the reflection is uncomfortable. My work has tackled everything from homelessness and consumer culture to digital obsession and the performative nature of modern life. While my work can be biting, it’s never cruel. There’s a difference between mocking and questioning—I’m here to question.

Now, as an active arts educator and consultant, I mentor emerging artists in both technical skill and creative voice, often drawing from my decades of experience in the entertainment industry. My workshops and private instruction cover everything from painting technique to portfolio development, marketing, and navigating galleries and art fairs.

My work has been exhibited across the country, including at the Neutra Museum, Museum of Boulder, Annenberg Foundation, South Bay Contemporary, and numerous galleries from Los Angeles to Denver. With my cinematic past and painter’s present, I continue to blur the lines between storytelling, satire, and visual art—always inviting viewers to look a little deeper.

“THIRST TRAPS,” my current solo exhibit at The Lab on Santa Fe showcases 20+ works. The exhibition explores our modern compulsion to insert ourselves into every narrative, serving as both witnesses and performers in a world framed through our phones. The Lab on Santa Fe, 840 Santa Fe Dr, Denver. Exhibit runs June 20-July 19. Please attend my ARTIST TALK on Saturday July 19 2-4pm.

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?
Most of my battles weren’t with the art world—they were forged in the film business. I spent 40 years working movie to movie, dealing with job insecurity, months on location, and navigating a rotating cast of egos, chaos, and deadlines. It wasn’t glamorous. But it was an education.

Over time, I stopped waiting for anyone to hand me an opportunity. I learned the hard way not to rely on others or hope that good luck would land in my lap. If I wanted something to happen, I had to make it happen. That mindset has served me just as well—if not better—in the art world.

Now, as a full-time artist in Denver, I apply everything I learned behind the camera: how to frame a scene, how to read an audience, how to sell an idea, and most importantly—how to stay resilient. Whether I’m mounting an exhibition or mentoring a young artist, I bring the same creative urgency I had on set.

Still, part of me misses filmmaking. And if I were to do another movie, I’d shoot it right here in Denver. It’s a stunning city—visually rich, emotionally layered, and completely underused on screen. I think it’s time someone told a story here that matches the depth of the place.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I come from a strong photography background, so I’m really drawn to telling stories in just one frame. My oil pastel paintings are photorealistic and use techniques like focus and composition—things I learned from looking at photos. When I was a kid, a Norman Rockwell exhibit and New Yorker cartoons stuck with me because they use humor to say something real about society. That’s always inspired the way I work.

I’m proud of following my gut and doing the hard work every single day. I don’t wait around for others to hand me opportunities—I create my own by being industrious and persistent. My ideas don’t always come from a clear place, but I trust them and go for it. Sometimes I make a painting thinking no one’s going to buy it, and then someone surprises me by actually buying it. With movies, you need millions of viewers. With art, I just need one person who really gets it—and that’s enough for me.

What matters most to you? Why?
The most important thing to me is that my work gets a laugh and engages people—to spark conversation, provoke a reaction, and hopefully inspire someone to buy a piece. I like to imagine one of my paintings showing up on Antiques Roadshow a hundred years from now, worth millions. Of course, I have no control over where my work ends up or what its destiny will be—but that mystery is part of the journey. And if I can make people chuckle, even after I’m gone, then I feel like I got the last laugh.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickdallago/

Image Credits
“MONA LISA SMILEY”
“911”
“DAVID”
“BANANAS”