Dennis Ziemienski
California Theatre, 2012, oil on canvas, 60 x 32 in.
Bungalow Brand, 2011, oil on canvas, 48 x 40 in.
Carhop, oil on linen, 24 x 48 in.
Cowgirl Brand, 2011, oil on linen, 48 x 44 in.
Daylight Brand, 2011, oil on linen, 33 x 36 in.
Mountain Cowgirl, oil, 54 x 54 in.
Puma Brand, 2011, oil on linen, 44 x 36 in.
Oasis Brand, 2011, oil on canvas, 30 x 28 in.
Artist Statement
I have always been fond of early 20th century poster artists such as Ludwig Hohlwein, Tom Purvis, Maurice Logan and Leslie Regan, so my work tends to lean heavily in that direction. My background in art was founded in illustration, so working with type has always been in my lexicon.
I have loved orange crate labels since I was a child. I have often been told that my paintings look like they could have appeared on an orange/fruit crate label. I recently decided that I would create my own collection of authentic looking citrus labels and not copy any of the original old ones.
In researching the qualities of the old labels, I came to the conclusion that very few labels actually depicted orange groves primarily. This conclusion made the possibilities of imagery endless. I could paint any subject as long as I could come up with a simple ‘brand’ name.
Labels are just one way to channel my art.
Dennis Ziemienski at Skidmore Contemporary
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