We recently connected with Dan Gerhartz and have shared our conversation below.
Dan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
This tale recounts one of the most touching and profound compliments I’ve ever received regarding my artwork, coming from a client who has collected many of my pieces. While dining with this client at a restaurant in an Asian country, our conversation delved into navigating grief following the recent loss of both our fathers. Amidst discussions about the profound bond between fathers and sons, as well as matters of life, death, and faith, our dialogue turned to my artwork.
During this exchange, the client shared his personal journey of faith. He revealed, “I was raised Buddhist, essentially an atheist, but when I look at your artwork, I want to believe in God.” His words caught me off guard, and I felt deeply grateful that he grasped the deepest essence of why I create the art.
Dan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As an oil painter, my aspiration is to create artworks that inspire individuals to strive for something greater, to nurture hope, and ultimately, to illuminate the presence of a Creator who cherishes them, all through capturing the beauty inherent in our world.
By immersing myself in the depiction of our world through paint on canvas, I aim to grasp the intricacies and nuances of light, color, and line, intending to stir the soul of the viewer. Through disciplined observation of nature, I discover profound inspiration, propelling me towards the pursuit of excellence in my artistic endeavors.
Over the past 40 years, I am profoundly thankful that my artwork has resonated with people who believe in my artwork. This enduring support has granted me the privilege to immerse myself deeply in the beauty of our world and share it with my audience.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The ability to share what I find beautiful with another… just as when enjoying a sunset or glass of wine, it is so much more fulfilling to share it with another person. Artistically speaking, to be able to delve into the beauty of our world, to continue to refine and discover new harmonies, designs etc.. and then to share them with others.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Being an artist seems no different than being any other business person, one has to continually utilize the latest in technologies to best distribute and advertise, and potentially create one’s product. The tricky part has been to implement the technologies without compromising the integrity of the artwork. This requires continual, keen attention.
Contact Info:
- Website: danielgerhartz.com danielgerhartzteaches.com
- Instagram: gerhartzstudio
- Facebook: Daniel Gerhartz Studio
- Youtube: Daniel Gerhartz
Image Credits
All images copyrighted Daniel Gerhartz Studio 2024