INSPIRATION

Dan is a semi-abstract, expressive watercolorist. The foundation of his works lies in a deeply personal perception of the world: synesthesia. In his mind, every color is a living entity with its own personality and life story. His paintings are an expressive dialogue between his emotional response to nature and the vivid cast of characters in his mind.  

 

Some examples:

• Blue: A dark-haired man who is selfless, stoic and proud

• Green: A caring young blonde woman that feels to overcome life’s hinderances, she must be tough

• Red: A likable, respectful, dark-haired, no-nonsense girl of 18 who isn’t afraid to push the norm

• Purple: An adventurous, carefree guy in his early 20s who believes in living each day to its fullest and loving his friends

• Yellow: A soft, matriarchal, caring middle-aged woman whose sole focus is the wellness of her family

 

Each composition begins by selecting a dominant color that embodies the emotional core of the scene, for instance, using a stoic, selfless "Blue" to reflect the tireless commitment of trees. When complementary colors like adventurous "Purple" and matriarchal "Yellow" meet on the paper, a visual conflict and conversation emerge, echoing the inherent tension found in the wild.

 

He approaches the medium of watercolor with a profound respect for its unpredictability. Painting with watercolor is a genuine collaboration with water, a dance of guidance and surrender. Just like nature itself, the water cannot be fully tamed. He works with its inherent fluidity, allowing the pigment to flow, pool, and bloom in ways he cannot entirely dictate. He often calls the water his co-artist, the water flow has as much to do with the final painting as he does.

 

This acceptance of an untamed process, combined with the dynamic personalities of his colors, results in passionate, semi-abstract works that capture a raw, fluid, emotional reality of nature.