Still-Life Paintings by Dennis Drummond - Lanning Art Gallery [Sedona]

It would be hard to find a more skilled painter than Dennis Drummond. Everything in the artist€™s background led him to a place in his career in which he is able to produce breathtakingly realistic and poignantly evocative still life paintings that captivate the viewer with the paradox of their complex simplicity.

Drummond majored in painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art after his skills in both drawing and painting led the art faculty to make this recommendation. While concurring with their suggestion Drummond became simultaneously determined to become a professor of painting and drawing. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Fine Art, his Master of Fine Arts from Syracuse University and is today a Professor Emeritus at the Columbus College of Art & Design after teaching numerous courses in Painting and Drawing for thirty-six years. Drummond was nominated for "Who's Who Among American Teachers" fourteen times, has exhibited in shows for over thirty years and has work included in countless private collections.

"Not About Flowers #1"
Oil on Canvas Painting
12" x 12"

As a student in the sixties Drummond concentrated on abstract painting, responding to the era€™s highly design and concept driven culture of art. With abilities for realism in both drawing and painting, the artist continued to shift through many areas of exploration until about twenty years ago when he began doing oil sketches of still life. Drummond found that his technical skills allowed him to make visual statements that were soft, smooth and solid. €œThere is a difference in stimulation now, that of light and color. I still, after all these many years, respond to challenges of design just as I did when making abstract paintings.€

"Not About Flowers #2"
Oil on Canvas Painting
12" x 12"

Though Drummond€™s skill may allow him to complete a painting in shorter time than others may require he is quick to point out that it is hard work. Usually, a painting day starts around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. and ends near midnight. €œEach of my pieces is rather labor intensive beginning with my stretcher bars through my canvas surfaces. The grounds are very smooth due to layers of gesso followed by sanding. After several layers I do a careful drawing. I then block in my color. All areas of my canvas have many layers of paint €“ three, four, five or more depending on the need. Again, though, I am very meticulous with my surface and to that end, I only use soft watercolor brushes . . . from 1/2" to 1/4" or smaller. Certainly there are those who think I may be crazy but it's just the way I work. I even build my own frames.

€œThe big issue is that I feel I can enjoy the manufacture of situations with greater satisfaction then I could if I were focused on just the technical side of my work. All things said I work very hard to provide crisp work with soft, smooth and pristine surfaces.€

Drummond€™s exquisite still life oil paintings never fail to captivate.

Click on an image to see a larger view.

"Not About Flowers #3"
Oil on Canvas Painting
12" x 12"

Artist's prices beginning at $1,975.

"Not About Flowers #4"
Oil on Canvas Painting
14" x 11"

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