Dennis Rhoades

My paintings are impressions of nature, not simply a replication of what is there. The subjects are from road trips throughout the Southwest, where I find inspiration at nearly every turn. I focus on vibrant, imaginative color and strong design. Each work starts with small sketches, using large areas of color that are the building blocks of the composition. Once a design is finalized, a line drawing in charcoal becomes the first step on the new paper. A transparent layer in terracotta provides the backdrop-a middle value that peeks through the top layers and gives warmth to the finished painting.

I call the works “paintings” to emphasize that they are created from shapes, not lines as a drawing would be.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

DENNIS RHOADES, PSA

Dennis Rhoades creates intense impressions of the Southwestern landscape. His pastel paintings have received special awards in the Pastel Society of America juried exhibition (2005 & 2006), the Pastel Society of Colorado National Show (2004) and Pastel Journal’s 100 Best Competition (2004). In addition, the Pastel Society of Colorado honored him with the prestigious “Best of Show” award in 2003.

Rhoades’ colorful paintings are found in corporate collections such as U.S. Steel, Rockwell International, CoBank of Denver, and the Castle Rock, Colorado Town Hall. He also receives numerous commissions from private collectors.

Rhoades teaches at the Evergreen Art Center (Evergreen. CO) and his work can be seen at West South West Gallery in Denver’s Cherry Creek North. He also sells his work at some of the finest arts festivals in the country, including Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival (TX), Aspen Arts Festival (CO), and Art on the Square (Bellville, IL). He is a member of the Society of Master Impressionists, a signature pastelist of the Pastel Society of America and a signature member of the Colorado Pastel Society, for which he also serves as president.

A native of the farm country of southern Kansas, Rhoades received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute and worked for many years as a designer/illustrator. He now paints from his Evergreen, Colorado studio in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Denver.