To
observe light, shadow, the vibrations of color between them, and strong
designs in nature is essential to plein air painting. The essence of place,
the character of the scenery, and the fleeting qualities of light and mood
is captured in an artist’s eye. Dennis believes painting on location
is worth a thousand photographs. The camera records everything, the artist
must be selective. Nature is the source and inspiration. Dennis Poirier’s
passion for painting shows in every carefully placed brushstroke and every
slice of color against color.
Dennis Poirier grew up in Gloucester,
Massachusetts. The colors, sights, and sounds of the busy port and fishing
fleet inspired Dennis. His earliest memory is of his father drawing his
portrait. The heat of the spotlights, the feel of the erasers, the charcoal
on his fingers and seeing the final image was magical to him. He was drawing
at five. Dennis says his parents always supported his art and that gave
him confidence. Dennis fosters the same love of art in his daughters today.
Dennis began to paint and soon became a part of the long line of Cape Ann’s
contribution to American impressionist painters. He feels proud and fortunate
to be part of the Cape Ann legacy.
Dennis began his studies in
high school and then went to Butera School of Art in Boston. He returned
to Cape Ann to become the first student studying the Atelier System with
John C. Terelak and Ted Goerschner at the newly formed Gloucester Academy
of Fine Arts. Later he moved to New York City to study at the Arts Student
League winning the Charles J. Romans Memorial Award at his very first national
exhibit at the Allied Artists of America Show. Dennis returned to Cape Ann
in 1980 to teach at the Academy. Later he painted with Don Stone and helped
teach classes in Monhegan with him.
He treasures his time, memories,
and inspiration from artists Don Stone, David A. Leffel, John C. Terelak,
Salvatore Fortunato Grasso,Tom Nicholas and Paul Strisik. He enjoys painting
the majestic mountains of Colorado, the rugged coast of Acadia National
Park, and travels whenever he can to paint more of the world’s beautiful
places. Aldro Hibbard, Emile Gruppe, Frederick Mulhaupt,Velasquez, and John
Singer Sargent continually inspire Dennis.
Dennis is a member of many prestigious
art associations including the Oil Painters of America, North Shore Arts
Association,Rockport Art Association, the Copley Society of Art (a Copley
Artist), the Hudson Valley Arts Association, and the Academic Artists Association.
Dennis stays close to the sea
drawing inspiration from meadows, forests, and the coast from Cape Ann to
Maine. Dennis believes painting nature provides him clear communication
with all that is divine. He considers it a challenge to try to capture a
moment in time in his plein air painting. The changing light, movement,
moods, and the colors of the world allow him to share his responses to nature
with his viewers. “People may pass this way every day,” says Dennis,
“and not notice the essence of place until they see it captured on
canvas.” |
