Dennis Simmons
Dennis Simmons
Dennis Simmons was born in San Diego, California and studied illustration at Palomar College.Continuing his educating at California State University, Long Beach, he began studying figurative drawing and oil painting with contemporary masters, Dominic Cretara and YuJi. Simmons’ largest influences in figurative painting come from Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and John Singer Sargent.Following the traditional painting techniques of the old masters, Simmons’paintings push the contrast of light and shade to heighten drama.In contrast to his figurative work, Simmons’ paints in the plein air fashion of Monet and Pissaro-in open air, with natural light.
Artist’s Statement
I use color in a reduced limited palette of very low intensities, as I believe it represents a realistic view of both the subject matter and of life itself, while simultaneously making a comment about contemporary society. Color, as amazing, dazzling, and beautiful as it is, sometimes masks our outlook and perceptions of truth. The world is not black and white, nor is it multi color and high-definition. Life is shades of gray, and I believe my style of painting defines those values.I am bringing harmony to polarization in color, such as red and green, by showing how opposites can work together in a world where common characteristics are emphasized over opposites. Nevertheless, there is an important role for color to play in the subtle contrasts of warm and cool tones.The color is implicit.It teases, whispers to the viewers the longer they look at my paintings
Select Juried Group Exhibitions and Competitions
2016
Art Exchange, Long Beach – Group Salon
2015
Randy Higbee Gallery – “6 x 6” Exhibition
Forest and Ocean Gallery – “Coast to Coast” Exhibition – Laguna Plein Air Painters
University Art Museum, CSULB – “Insights” Annual Art Exhibition
Max L. Gatov Gallery, CSULB – “Liminal” Drawing & Painting BFA Exhibition
2014
Randy Higbee Gallery – “Urban Beauty” Exhibition
Loft Studios & Art Gallery – “Local Color”
Studio 2817 – “Less is More” Exhibition, LPAPA
2013
Randy Higbee Gallery – “Less is More” Exhibition, LPAPA
2012
Southern California Plein Air Painters – “Back Bay” Exhibition
Seven Degrees Gallery – “Best of Plein Air” – Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
La Jolla Art Association – “Under the Sky”
“Art in the Pines” Torrey Pines, CA – Plein Air Competition and Art Fair
Randy Higbee Gallery – “Less is More” Exhibition, LPAPA
Debra Huse Gallery – “Fresh Paint” Exhibition, LPAPA
2011
Harbor Days Art Festival – Chula Vista, CA
Art in the Pines, Torrey Pines, CA – Plein Air Competition and Art Fair
2011
Long Beach Arts – “Scapes” Exhibition
2010
Chula Vista Art Guild – 10th Annual Art Show
Long Beach Arts – “Many Cultures, One World” Exhibition
Long Beach Arts – “Human Figure” Exhibition
2009 – 2015
Paint San Clemente – Quick Draw Competition and Art Fair
Awards Received
2013 FASO “Fine Art Views” – Art Critic Brian Sherwin, Staff Pick from FASO Daily Art Show
2013 San Clemente Art Association – Quick Draw, Honorable Mention
2011 Long Beach Arts – Winter Members Exhibition, Honorable Mention
2010 Chula Vista Harbor Days, 1st Place
2010 Long Beach Arts – Human Figure Exhibition, 2nd Place
2009 San Diego County Fair – Oil- Still Lifes, Honorable Mention
2008 San Diego County Fair –Plein Air Painting Contest, Honorable Mention
Public Collections
2015
California State University Long Beach – University Student Union Permanent Collection
2011
City of Chula Vista – Main Library Permanent Collection
Education
2015
California State University, Long Beach Bachelor of Fine Arts – Drawing & Painting
1993
Palomar College – Illustration Program