Today we’d like to introduce you to Dale Novak.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dale. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Today I’m currently located in Denver, CO but was born and raised in St, Francis, WI. From an early age, I was fascinated with dinosaurs. I would scribble through countless spiral notebooks as I tried to redraw the pages out of books involving dinosaurs. The floor around the kitchen table would quickly become a pile of rejected doodles and failed attempts at redrawing what was in these books. Throughout grade school and high school, I would continuously get in trouble for drawing comics and caricatures in my books when I was supposed to be studying. Following high school, I studied animation at Milwaukee Area Technical College for three years.
By the time I was finishing up my Associates Degree, I decided to continue my education and focus on what makes me the happiest in life, just drawing. I ended up moving to Denver, CO in 2012 and enrolled at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Taking classes there, led me to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration. The years that followed college, I tried to make artwork for as many local musicians as I could. Listening to music and spending my available free time going to as many concerts as I can are some of the greatest things in this world.
At a young age, I realized being a musician was not an option for my future. Stumbling through “Mary had a little lamb” on the recorder, during music class was traumatizing enough to put a cap on that career idea. Drawing flyers and album covers was a way I could continue being a part of something I always enjoyed. These projects led me to help start and illustrate for a local music and art magazine, called Barf Magazine. Currently, I like to stay busy with commissions and drawing as many ideas from my imagination as I can, without completely destroying my hands in the name of art.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wish I could say it was a smooth road. Creating art through pointillism has led my drawing hand to have occasional episodes of Carpal Tunnel. These wrist complications can lead to lost opportunities throughout the year.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I am an illustrator who specializes in using pen and ink mediums to create visual interpretations inspired by space and when science goes astray. Using the pointillism technique, my designs are created through tedious dot work. Most of my artwork is known for having a gritty feel to them, caused by the fine and delicate details that cover each piece. I favor using traditional mediums when drawing, it allows the viewer to see what can be made with one’s own hands. This technique also lets the viewer see flaws and natural mistakes in the piece to show that artists are human.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me would be just to be able to inspire others to pick up a pencil, and illustrate what is in their imaginations.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @dalenovakillustrations
Image Credit:
Matthew Novak
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