Dennis Wojtkiewicz

Dennis Wojtkiewicz Biography

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Ohio artist, Dennis Wojtkiewicz [voy-KEV-itch] explores the sensitive nature of time in his oversized oil paintings of fruit and flowers. The transitory nature of his subject matter is encapsulated, transfixed and glorified with heightened photorealism. Light and translucence make these paintings glow. Nature’s perfect patterning allows each painting to take on a meditative quality.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“Each painting is constructed by beginning with a monochrome underpainting in the complement of the featured subject. Subsequent layers of semi-opaque through to transparent colors follow with up to ten passes before the end result is achieved. The process is in essence a modified version of techniques used by Northern European Masters, Vermeer being of the greatest in influence.

In mentioning Vermeer I would hope that, beyond technique, his influence in regards to light is readily apparent in my work. I’m also trying to approach a very traditional format, still life, in perhaps a more contemporary way – minimal in form yet very complicated in process.

There are a number of elements in the visual undertow which function as metaphor or representation of themes such as spirituality, relationships (or lack thereof), reproduction and, generally speaking, the transitory nature of most stuff. When I go into the studio it is with the intent of imbuing the paintings with a living spirit and to realize something that will connect with the viewer on a sensual if not metaphysical plane.” – Dennis Wojtkiewicz

EDUCATION:

1981

M.F.A., Painting and Drawing, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

(Included one year of study under the direction of Patrick Betaudier, Atelier Neo-Medici, Paris, France, 1977-8)

GRANTS

Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship for Painting, 2001
Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship for Painting, 1992

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dennis Wojtkiewicz, Kate Mesch/ The Pastel Journal, June 2005

Nature and Art Go Hand-in-Hand, Cate Roesler/The Daily Telegram (Adrian, MI), November 11, 2005

Slicing the Apple, David Dupont/The Sentinel Tribune [Bowling Green], October 2, 2003.

Galleries: Dennis Wojtkiewicz Paintings, Keri Guten Cohen/Detroit Fee Press, December 16, 2001.

With fruit as Their Focus, Trompe L’Oeil Works Slice Into Deeper Meaning, Jeanne Fryder-Kohles/Columbus Dispatch, October 14, 2001.

A Light Fantastic, Elizabeth Ann James/Short North Gazette, October 2001

Learning New Media, American Artist Magazine, June 2000

New Look at Still Life: Artists Add Twist to Genre at Lanning Show, Jacqueline Hall/Columbus Dispatch, April 9, 2000.

Food for Thought on Shape, Form, Keri Guten Cohen/Detroit Free Press, July 18, 1999.

Sail on to Where You Can Take a Fancyto Unusual Work of Art, Joy Hakanson Colby/Detroit News, July 10, 1999.

Museum Offers a Visual Treat, Lawrence Trump/Springfield(O.) News-Sun, May 20, 1999.

Coming to Life: Contemporary Style Revives Languishing Still Life Form, Pam Harbaugh/Florida Today, February 15, 1999.

Artist Advances Old Masters’ Style, Lisa Stein/Pioneer Press [Chicago Suburbs], July 23, 1998.

Horse Imagery at the Kidd is a Sure winner, Keri Guten Cohen/Detroit Free Press, December 7, 1997

Sun-kissed Still Lifes at the Robert Kidd Gallery are a Feast for the Senses, Keri Guten Cohen/Detroit Free Press, July 13, 1997.

Still Lights, Fran Watson/Cincinnati City Beat, June 5-11, 1997

Still Life Provide Dramatic, Larger-than-life Views from Above: Theatricality Pervades Many of Wojtiewicz’s Works in Lanning Show, Kay Koeninger/The Columbus-Dispatch, December 22, 1996.

Wojtkiewicz’s Still Lifes Evoke a ‘Fine and Noble’ Spirit of Art, Carroll McCune/The Sentinel Tribune, October 16, 1996.

BGSU Prof’s Work Launches Gallery, Kim Laub/The BladeRich Hues Capture Summer Vibrancy, Kay Koeninger/Columbus Dispatch, June 30, 1996. [Toledo], October 15, 1996.

Landscape an Inspiration to Many Styles of Artwork, James Auer/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 7,1996.

The Real Deal, Bart Mills/The Lima News, August 24, 1995.

Five Artist Friends Put Their Own Spins on Realism, Sally Vallongo/The Blade, September 23, 1994.

Apart From Its Name, “Illusions” A Real Success, Janice T. Paine/The Milwaukee Sentinel, April 29, 1994.

Still Life Portraits Come Alive, Mary Klemic/The Eccentric [Detroit Metro], December 30, 1993.

Bringin’ on Spring-CLC Show Blossoms Before Mother Nature, Garret Holg/Lake County News-Sun, April 1, 1993.

This “Garden” Touches, Jacqueline Hall/Columbus Dispatch, July 5, 1992.

Winning Artist Puts Theatrics in Works, Bart Mills/Lima News. N/D. 1992.

Drawings As Varied As Their Numbers, Shari Blesdoe/Virginia Gazette, April 18, 1992.

Art From Fresh Points Of View, Sally Vallongo/The Blade, May 31, 1992.

At A Glance: Museum Draws on Sketches for Exhibits, Mark St. John Erickson/Richmond-Times Dispatch, April 1992.

Two Shows Testify to Beal’s Beliefs in Figurative Art, Robert Merrit/Richmond-Times Dispatch, April 19, 1992.

These Landscapes, Figures Anything but Academic, Leslie Constable/Columbus Dispatch, November 3, 1991.

Super-Realism Underlies Artist’s Theatrical Presentation, Leslie Constable/Columbus Dispatch, September 29, 1991.

Kuhn Artists Share Their Vision, Leslie Constable/Columbus Dispatch, December 23, 1990.

Style Under Stress, Alan Artner/Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1990.

Faculty Art Show-A Study in Contrasts, Julie Fleenor/The Sentinel-Tribune, December 6, 1989.

Contemporary Art Judged, Gary Schwan/Palm Beach Post, December 1, 1989.

New Exhibitors Give Art Shows Fresh Perspective, Louise Brunner/The Blade, June 18, 1989.

37th Spring Art Show, Jerry Hertenstein/Lima News, May 21, 1989.

Local Sculptor Wins Two for One, Roger McBain/Evansville Courier, N/D. 1989.

Wojtkiewicz’s Women Hit the 80’s Mark, Alan Artner/Chicago Tribune, March 6, 1987.

Personal Views, David Elliot/Chicago-Sun Times, April 11, 1982.

City Sights, Richard Schwarze/Dayton Journal Herald, October 5, 1982.

SELECTED PERMANENT COLLECTIONS

Davidson Collection of American Realism, Chicago, IL
Howard Tullman Collection, Chicago, IL
Rosenfeld, Zweig, & Associates, Northbrook, IL
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
Bristol Myers, Evansville, IN
Evansville Museum of Arts and Sciences, Evansville, IN
Household Finance, Chicago, IL
John Buck Realty, Chicago, IL
Baxter Labs, Chicago, IL
Blue C

BIOGRAPHY:

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2005

J. Cacciola Gallery, New York, NY
Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

2003

Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Toledo, OH

2002

Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

2001

Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
Corbino Gallery, Long Boat Key, FL

2000

Glass Garage Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

1999

Transfixion (a retrospect exhibit of drawings and paintings from the past decade), Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, OH
Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI

1998

Space Gallery, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

1997

Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Toni Birckhead Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

1996

Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
Renaissance Gallery, Bowling Green, OH

1995

Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI

1993

Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Campbell Learning Resources Center Gallery, Monroe Community College, Monroe, MI
Sauder Visual Arts Center Gallery, Bluffton College, Bluffton, OH

1991

Art Changes: Light-Shade and Atmosphere, Superrealists
Drawings and Paintings, Robert Kuhn Gallery, Columbus, OH

1990

J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1987

J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1982

Illinois Arts Council Gallery, Chicago, IL

1981

Countryside Arts Center, Arlington Heights, IL

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2006

Realism, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Fresh Paint, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH
Art Miami, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, FL (J. Cacciola Gallery)
ArtPalm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, International Pavilion of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach, FL (J. Cacciola Gallery)
The Toledo Federation of Art Societies, Leslie Adams Gallery, Toledo, OH

2005

Art Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, International Pavilion, Palm Beach, FL, (Tory Folliard Gallery)
Art Miami, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, FL (J. Cacciola Gallery)
Chicago Contemporary and Classic Art Fair, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL (J. Cacciola Gallery)
Twelve Plus One: Concepts in Realism, Las Manos Gallery, Chicago, IL
Fruitful Abundance, Gallery at the Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Drawing on Nature, Klemm Gallery, Sienna Heights University, Adrian, MI
50th Anniversary Exhibition, ArtSpace, Lima, OH
XXX Three Decades of Art, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI

2004

Art Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, International Pavilion, Palm Beach, FL, (Tory Folliard Gallery)
ArtChicago 2004, Navy Pier, Chicago (J. Cacciola Gallery and Tory Folliard Gallery)
USArtists: American Fine Art Show, 33rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA (J. Cacciola Gallery)
Chicago Images, Frederick Baker Gallery, Chicago

2003

J. Cacciola Gallery, New York, NY (two-person)
Art Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, (Tory Folliard Gallery), International Pavilion, Palm Beach, FL
2-D by Five, University Gallery, Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH
10th Anniversary Exhibition, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, OH

2002

New Blood II, Finer Things Gallery, Nashville, TN
Nature Our Way, Glass Garage Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Small Pleasures, J. Cacciola Galleries, New York, NY
Palm Springs International Art Fair, (Finer Things Gallery, Nashville) Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA

2000

Dealer’s Choice, Robbert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Things, Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH

1999

A Feast for the Eyes, Brevard Museum of Art and Science, Melbourne, FL (three-person)
Trompe L’Oeil, Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, OH
A Separate Reality: Five Realsit Painters, Gallery One, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL

1998

National Horse Show, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
French Foundations-American Experiences: Five Realists from the Atelier Neo Medicis, SIC Art Gallery, Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg, IL

1996

20th Anniversary Exhibit, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
Suddenly It’s Summer, Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
New!! New!! New!! Group Invitational Exhibit, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI

1995

Definitions of Vision, Artspace/Lima, Lima, OH

1994

Diversity Among Friends-Five Realists, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, OH
Historic Traditions in Contemporary Realism, University Museum, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Literal Illusions, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

1993

La Primavera-An Artist’s View of Spring, Community Gallery of Art, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL

1992

Art on Tour (Texas Fine Arts Association), Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Austin; University Gallery, University of Texas-El Paso; University Gallery, Texas A&M University; Texarkana Arts and Humanities Council Gallery, Texarkana; Gallery 1114-Arts Assembly of Midland, Midland; Grayson County College Gallery, Denison

From the Garden, Robert Kuhn Gallery, Columbus, OH
Still Lifes, Jan Cicero Gallery, Chicago, IL

1991

Anniversary Show, Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI
The Painterly Eye: Contemporary Ohio Landscape and Figure Painting, Fort Hayes Visual Arts Gallery, Columbus, OH
Introspections: A Self-Portrait Invitational, Community Gallery of Art, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
Best of Ohio 1990, Lakeside Gallery, Lakeside, MI

1990

A Vision of Their Own, Robert Kuhn Gallery, Chicago, IL
Monochrome/Polychrome: Contemporary Realist Drawings, Fine Arts
Gallery, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Landscapes, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1989

Contemporary American Still Lifes, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL
The 78th Annual Exhibition-Chicago, Meier Museum of Art, Randolph
Macons Women’s College, Lynchburg, VA

1988

Works on Paper, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1987

Miniatures, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1986

Works on Paper, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL

1985

Realism, J. Rosenthal Fine Arts, Chicago, IL
City Sights: Ten Chicago Painters, Westgate Building, University of Illinois- Chicago

1984

Chicago to Paris/Round Trip, Countryside Arts Center, Arlington Heights, IL
The Figurative Art League, Noyes Cultural Center, Evanston, IL
Eight on Eight, Marshall Fields (Water Tower Place), Chicago, IL

1983

Illinois Images: 21 Painters, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL

1982

Atelier Neo-Medici, Gallery Lavignes, Paris, France
The Figure, Joy Horwich Gallery, Chicago, IL
33rd Illinois Invitational, Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL

1980

Texas Fine Arts Association Traveling Exhibition, Baylor University, University of Texas-Arlington; Texas Women’s College; Kilgore College; Trinity University; Paris Junior College; Anagelina College