We recently connected with Gary Dyak and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
When I decided to retire I knew I needed a hobby to fill my time. I decided to take a community college class in drawing. My instructor became my mentor and friend. He recognized my technique that he said would define my art. I went on to receive an Associate Degree in Fine Art. After 23 years as a research analyst I fought to use the creative right side of my brain. Instead I embraced my analytical side and incorporated it in my drawings. I also began using photoshop and several other computer programs to generate reference images.Several years ago I began using colored pencils to create my intricate drawings. It may take two months to complete a drawing by layering colors and blending methods to create a painterly effect.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A friend of mine had moved to Florence, Italy to take art classes. He invited me to visit him. His class was having an end of semester art exhibit which I attended. I was so taken by their art. I told my friend that I wish I could draw like that. He encouraged me to take a few classes to see if I had an artistic interest. My first drawing class had their end of semester exhibit and I received the Best Artist award and a scholarship. When I retired, my hobby became an obsession. I belong to several drawing groups: Colored Pencil Society of America, San Diego Drawing Group and several Zoom groups. I’ve won multiple awards and have exhibited at the Oceanside Museum of Art, the International Colored Pencil Society exhibit and Canon Art Gallery. I work in colored pencil, graphite and have recently began exploring watercolor.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
About a year into my art odyssey I belonged to a community art group. We were doing out monthly art critique and when I displayed my painting the group leader asked me if I was colorblind. I was devastated by that comment. I picked up my art supplies and left. Later that day the other members called me and encouraged me to ignore his comment and continue with the group. The painting took first place at the County Fair that year.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I think NFTs are silly, period. X 
Image Credits
Most of the references are except for the animals which were taken from the photo sharing site Paint my Photo.