WELCOME Denise Dean is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator. Renowned for her wonderfully decorative and colourful children’s book illustrations and watercolours, she is also highly regarded for her work in the graphic design industry. With over 20 years experience as a freelance designer and working in some of the best design and advertising agencies in Australia, she now focuses on her real love - painting. Denise excels at capturing the natural world, cultures, people, animals and landscapes have all been subject matter, however Australian flora and fauna is her passion and preferred subject. Denise works from her spectacular bushland property on the outskirts of Sydney, she exhibits regularly at galleries and artist showcases in and around Sydney, for information about upcoming shows and new work please fill in the contact form to be added to the mailing list. ARTIST STATEMENT I have always been an artist, ever since childhood I have drawn and created, the process of creation is, to me, an essential part of life. After leaving high school I trained as a graphic designer, developing my skills as a commercial designer as well as honing my illustration skills. I worked for many years in advertising and even worked as cartoonist for several Australian TV shows. When my children were born, I found I had less and less time for my art but now, as my children are grown up, I find myself in a position where once again where I can focus my energy on the things that fulfil me. I paint for myself, I find immense joy and freedom in capturing subjects from nature in particular. For me the simple things such as showing the passage of time; the broken sea shell, the damaged gum leaf or weather beaten timber and rusty metal, finding beauty in the overlooked, this can be the most interesting subject matter. I love painting the flora and fauna of the Australian bush, from and around my own backyard, I feel grateful being able to live in this wonderful circumstance which supports me and my art practice. |