Dominik Modlinski, originally from Warsaw, Poland, knew at the age of 4 that he was destined to be an artist and between the ages of 5 - 16 studied printmaking with a master printmaker. He also studied jewellery making and metal smithing in high school. At 16, Dominik moved to Ontario, Canada where he later studied fine arts and graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Finding a passion for landscape painting, and experiencing the Canadian wilderness, Dominik moved to the Algoma district, east of Lake Superior, to continue his independent studies at the Algoma School of Landscape Art.
In 1995, after receiving a grant from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Dominik embarked a 4-month cycling-painting trip from Whitehorse Yukon, to Vancouver. While in the Yukon, Dominik ventured into Atlin, BC. Accepting an offer to teach at the Atlin Art Centre, this became his new home. Atlin, with a population of around 412 is not an easy place to call home, but is a fantastic gateway to the uninhabited great white north, perfect for a landscape artist who is up to the challenge that comes with exploring its glory.
In 2001, having established himself as a professional landscape artist, Dominik moved to Calgary to further his career. He was represented, first, by the Masters Gallery in Calgary and now by Canada House in Banff where he has sold many paintings. Alberta has been great for him, he says. Other representations include, John A. Libby Fine Art- Toronto Ontario, Elliott Louis Gallery- Vancouver, BC, Mountain Galleries - Whistler, BC, and of course, his website
http://paintingjourneys.com/. Dominik has found his greatest inspirations throughout Alaska and northern British Columbia. This year's expedition is in the Mackenzie Mountain range between the Laird and Peet rivers and St. Elias Mountains in Yukon and Alaska.
Dominik enjoys the personal contact and the visiting that goes along with his showings. In my conversation with him, I felt his intriguing and invaluable presence. If you are fortunate enough to own one of his pieces, you surely understand that beyond the artistic talent, the art speaks of the experience and a story. As Dominik offered insight into his art through his experiences and adventures, I recalled examples of what he was saying in the images he has tastefully displayed on his website http://paintingjourneys.com/ His passion for telling the story is shown best in his art and starts from understanding Dominik is a landscape artist who paints on location – he goes out and finds the story and brings it back to us. http://www.youtube.com/user/dmodlinski
His trips in the rugged, remote country have made him intensely aware of the environment and he passes his understanding through his paintings. He captures moments in time that will never be the same in some part due to changes in the environment. Dominik does not take issues like global warming lightly. He has seen and experienced how the environment has changed and how the changes affect life. He has donated work for environmental causes to assure more people understand the effects of humans on the wilderness. Preservation of our environment is an issue of concern for him.
"My work is simply a reflection of what I love to do most, to be able to live on the land, to better my creative vision and to bring people joy and understanding of the environment through art" (Dominik Modlinski)
More information about Dominik Modlinski
Belongs to the Alberta Society of Artists and
Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour
Works in both watercolour and oils. Likes to use and teach oils in the “alla prima method” a useful technique when you paint on location.
Has painted professionally for 20 years.
Established his own web site in 1998 (even before he owned his own computer) http://paintingjourneys.com/ In 2004, the website was updated but restricted Dominik's creative side. In 2009, he designed his own site his way and is able to artistically design and manage it himself. Disadvantages of having his own website include the time it takes to maintain it and the fact that people still cannot see his actual piece in person. Advantages include increased exposure and contact with his current collectors who can make a repeat purchase based on seeing a piece on line, as well as the exposure to new followers, oh, and getting that one email you have been waiting for. Advantage of the internet in general includes the global exposure. He feels the digital era is good however it makes it harder for people to gauge good, average and bad art. Dominik blogged his Antarctica excursion, check it out and watch for more blogs on his upcoming trip. http://paintingjourneys.blogspot.com/
Has met many great artists over the years, but not many who are willing to endure harsh conditions such as being isolated, wet, dirty, dusty, cold, exposed to wild life, hail, storms...
Likes to tease the photographers that he has traveled with because they can get up with him at 4:30 am, take some sunrise shots and call it a day while Dominik stays all day and paints.
With 24 years of Martial Arts, has earned a fifth degree black belt with title of Shihan. Takes his uniform with him on his travels and was fortunate enough to train while in Japan.
Maritta Renz
President
Tweet me at @stoodio8
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