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John Dietz |
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The Artist's Biography
Born
in 1937 to a creative family, John Dietz grew up sketching with pencil and pen on
anything he could find. Although he was raised in the city, as a boy he
would ride his bicycle a few miles to a horse ranch to watch the animals
and the wranglers working them. As he grew older he would return to the
ranch to ride those horses. When out of high school he took on a number of
labor jobs and continued his drawing. He knew that some day he would
become a professional artist and have the opportunity to draw and paint
the life he loved so much.
At the age of twenty he found employment as an apprentice in a commercial
art studio. The system in those days was that the established illustrators
would teach the apprentices. Dietz was an eager student and was soon put
on the drawing board as a full time illustrator. In this capacity he has
worked in the automotive, aerospace and hobby industries. The years as an
illustrator have honed his skills to the point we now see in his drawings
and easel paintings. In his long painting career Dietz has painted sailing
ships, racing cars, World War II aircraft, wildlife and landscapes. All of
the subjects personify romance, excitement, power and beauty, but he has
never lost his love of the western life and it’s colorful history.
Since the early 70's Dietz has been painting cowboys, Native
Americans and mountain men, attempting to show the admiration he has for
the people and their lifestyles. “I try to convey this admiration along
with the sensitivity and adventure that has, and still does, exist in the
West. All my subjects have an underlying power and a representative
painting style is the best way to have this recognized. I’ve lived and
worked in Michigan, California, Alabama, Florida, and in 1982 settled in
Texas. Living in Texas has kept me close to the western life I have always
been drawn to.” |
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The Artist's Philosophy
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Having been a professional artist all my adult life I’ve had ample
opportunity to develop many thoughts on the subject of visual creativity.
As a younger man these ideas were of myself and the type of art that I was
involved with, mostly illustration. As I grew older I came to
understand that what made art so interesting was the variety of ways that
artists express themselves. I admit I’m old-fashioned enough to
believe that an artist should learn to draw before they paint or sculpt.
They should master their chosen medium before asking the public to accept
their work. They should be in competition only with themselves, and
advance at their own pace. When the artists are comfortable with
their style and medium they can use any number of avenues to present their
work, such as galleries, art shows, private showings, etc.. Once the
public has a chance to criticize or hail an artist’s efforts, the artist
will know best what path to follow.
You
will notice in this essay I speak only from the artist’s perspective.
The viewing public sees a piece of art and it gives them a good,
indifferent, or negative reaction. I, on the other hand, view every
piece of art and must add the technical aspect. To advise a
non-artist to do this could retract any positive feelings they may have
for any given piece. Searching for technique in a creation could
keep me from appreciating a wonderful painting or sculpture that many
others admire. I would hope the viewing public will judge a work of
art by what they receive by looking at it or touching it. I would
also hope they are moved enough to want this art to enhance their
surroundings.
John
Dietz, 2006
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