Dennis was born in Chicago, IL. and has lived in the far west suburbs of Chicago since early grammar school. A three year stint in the United States Marine Corps, 1962-1965, afforded him extensive travel opportunities in the Mediterranean visiting Rome, Naples, Malta, Barcelona, Sardinia and Corsica.
After the Marine Corps tour of duty Dennis pursued his formal education. He is a 1967 graduate of Morton Junior College in Cicero, IL with a A.A.E.T. Degree; a 1971 graduate of Southwest College (now Richard J. Daley College) in Chicago,. IL with a A.A.B.A. Degree with honors and a 1974 graduate of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL with a B.S.B.A. Degree. During 1974-1976 he attended Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL in the MBA program.
Dennis had an interest in art as early as second grade while working on a school mural. During high school he drew numerous futuristic automobile designs and excelled in architectural and mechanical drawing.
He started to oil paint in 1970 for an art appreciation and humanities’ course project at Southwest College. At this point in his life a hidden love for the traditional oil painting works of the masters revealed itself. During this early period Dennis produced and sold a hundreds of personal and commissioned artworks in oil, acrylics, watercolor and pen and ink.
Art Education
1980 was the major turning point in his style due to studying several years thereafter under Wes Berrier, a traditionalist who paints in Rembrandt’s technique. Dennis has also studied under Professor Chang Li of Beijing, China who paints in the French Impressionistic style.
He has studied under Romel de la Torre, a prior student of Richard Schmid, in Portrait Painting. He has also studied under David Hettinger and Julian Gilbert. He has documented the art techniques of Chang Li and the late Joseph DeVelasco (b.1933-d.1999). Since 2000, Dennis has attended David A. Leffel annual workshops in still life and portrait painting.
The Palette & Chisel; Chicago, IL
Fechin Art Workshops; Taos, NM
Fredericksburg Artists School; Fredericksburg, TX
Liliedahl Fine Art Studio; La Porte, TX
Memberships
DuPage Art League – Wheaton, IL – Life Member
News Articles
Local Artisan Out & About; Naperville Sun (Naperville, IL)
In addition
Dennis is the President of Electro-Stock, Inc. a distributor of electronic components and controls since 1983. Dennis has been the President of American Palette, Inc., which published fine art limited edition prints. He also owns Second Look Collectibles
Many commissioned works are in the collections of private parties and businesses across the United States.