Artist Profile: Dennis Herschbach

Dennis Herschbach is a retired education professor from University of Maryland.  As he approached retirement he wanted to explore an activity that could help his transition into retirement. Dennis always loved art and even got a minor in sculpture when he went to college. Both his father and father in law were artists.  So it was natural for him to investigate the art studios at the University of Maryland across the plaza from his office. It was there that he began to do independent study in painting with oils.  

Dennis believes art can transcend boundaries of belief and ideologies and he finds most of his inspiration from his garden and his travels. Of his work, Dennis says, 'I work a lot from nature, but I don't try to duplicate it; the camera can do a better job at this. Rather, I let nature guide me in the use of color, shape, line and space to create images that evoke a pleasant emotional response. Above all, I feel that a painting should be beautiful and speak to the inner self. I  strongly believe that it is through art that we can find the finest expression of what it is to be human.'

Some of my personal favorites are from his travels.  This yellow landscape is of farmer's fields in Kosovo.

"Caressed by The Summer Sun, Kosavo"  oil on canvas, 28.5" x 34" in

"The Green Tree", oil on canvas, 36" x 30" in

 This painting is the moonrise in Greece.  In life, this work almost glows from the layers of glazing applied to the canvas.

"Summer Moonscape, Alexandros, Greece" oil on canvas 36" x 30" in

Much of Dennis's work is also inspired by his garden.

"Spring Gold", oil on canvas, 36" x 29.5" in

Dennis's work is hanging at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church at Powder Mill Road in Adephi, Maryland.  His opening reception is January 7th immediately following the church service, around 11:30. If you are interested in purchasing artwork, please contact Dennis Herschbach at drhersch@umd.edu. 

Dakar Women's Group Art Show

This spring I had the honor of helping put on the Dakar Women's Group Art Show.  We spent a few months visiting artists and art shows and galleries and pulled together seventy four local artists to highlight in our show.  Some of our artists are well established and some are really just starting their careers. The purpose of the show is to support Senegalese artists and raise money for charites at the same time.  We sold around 25,000,000 CFA ($50, 000) of artwork, eighty percent of the price stays with the artists and twenty percent will go to local charities.

 

A painting by one of my favorite artists, Manel

Three small paintings, Manel.

 

The show has a tradition of asking the artists to donate a small canvas to the Squares Project.  This year's theme was Visage (face in French.)  One hundred percent of the proceeds from Squares Project sales go to charity.  The squares also create an affordable way for people to buy art from their favorite artists.



We were fortunate to find space at the IFAN, the African Museum of Arts in Dakar Senegal.  Here are some pictures showing the space. There were so many wonder pieces of art.  I have included some of my favorites below.



This group of works by Toni Okujeni, Yelli Ndoye Manel and Mamadou Saadio Diallo.

 These pieces are by Setou, Fode Camara, Amary Diop, Ismaila Manga and Arlette Diop. 

  The artists of this row are Issa Diop, Ousmane Sow, Sandiry Niang and Aime Clement Diompy.

 

 Works in this row are by Moustapha Badiane, Nathalie Chauvin and Sebastian Bouchard.



This amazing piece by Amary Diop is metal sheets sewn together with wire.

Should any of this artwork pique your interest, I have contact information for all of the artists that were in the show.