Blue Rain Gallery | 4/5-4/19 | Durango, CO

Shared Nostalgia

Dennis Ziemienski, Neon Martini, oil on canvas, 25 x 30"

Dennis Ziemienski, a master of visual storytelling, and Tony De Luz, an accomplished painter and digital artist with a love of Americana, come together for a two-man show at Blue Rain Gallery in Durango, Colorado. Both artists have made the transition from illustrator to fine artist, and both are captivated by the scenes and sentiments of bygone eras. “[I’m] delighted to be sharing the show at Blue Rain Gallery Durango with Tony De Luz, fellow illustrator turned fine art painter,” says Ziemienski. “Our work can have similar subject matter, but this show has a variety of my interests, which makes the exhibit unique.” Works in the show by Ziemienski include Big Red Bandana, depicting a cowgirl with a crimson scarf, as well as Neon Martini depicting the classic cocktail in the form of a vintage neon sign. “My transition to fine art from illustration was encouraged when I was asked by art directors to work digitally—I prefer to paint with oils on canvas—and admirers of my illustrations contacting me in order to buy them," says Ziemienski. "In my opinion the work has not changed. I paint what inspires me, whether it’s an illustration or a painting.”

Tony De Luz, End of the Road, gouache on watercolor paper, 13¾ x 25¼"

Dennis Ziemienski, Quarter Slot, oil on canvas, 36 x 24"

De Luz echoes the sentiment that he and Ziemienski are captivated by much of the same subject matter, though both artists cast a wide net in terms of the content they work with. “We’re both drawn to road culture, Americana, the disappearing vehicles, signs and locales of the contemporary Southwest,” says De Luz. “The old signs and marquees, trains, cars and motels, to me, are as much a part of the Western landscape as the magnificent mesas and buttes, the wide open spaces, Native Americans, cowboys, horses and coyotes. We each have our approaches to painting them. Dennis paints more landscapes than I do, but [I’ve been] doing more of them. He does these incredible skies and New Mexico vistas! I’m inspired by Dennis’ art and honored to exhibit alongside him.”