Ever wonder how some artists are able to capture the essence of a landscape or that magical gleam in a child’s eye of a portrait? Dan Knepper asked himself this question for years. Sure, shadows are important, good lighting is imperative, but a type of revelation finally hit him.
   “It’s the atmosphere of the light and its effects, the illumination of leaves and grasses, the glowing shadows, the dance of the sunset on the water and those amazing moments when the air itself has color that must be captured.â€
Knepper remembers his mom painting murals on his bedroom walls and window shades in an attempt to unleash the creativity in her son.
It must have worked because Dan became a teacher of art. For the past 15 years, Dan has taught students from kindergarten through high school, often bringing in achieved artists to teach week-long workshops at the school. Not only did the kids benefit from these visits, but Knepper admits that he also learned a lot.
Watercolors are Dan’s medium of choice in both landscapes and portraits. Understanding that most galleries prefer oil over watercolor, he does work to further advance in this area.
You can find his works in August Laurel Gallery, Ojai, California, Carteret Contemporary, Morehead City, North Carolina, Going to the Sun Gallery, Whitefish, Montana, Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, Colorado, Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Washington and expect new locations opening soon.
As from the current gallery listing where his works can be also purchased, Dan’s artwork has graced the pages of Fine Art connoisseur, American Art Collector, Southwest Art, Watercolor Artist, Outdoor Painter and Professional Artist magazine.
In addition, his works were a finalist in national and international competitions, namely, the Richeson 75, Plein Air Salon, the Airstream Fine Art Invitaitonal, Southwest Art’s Artistic Excellence and the annual competition of Artist Magazine.
He credits much of his oil painting skills to mentor Steven Walker. Interestingly, Dan would love to find a way to incorporate music as he sees each piece he creates as rhythm, melody, harmony. . .virtual music.
When asked about his plans for the future, artist Knepper did not hesitate: “I just had a piece chosen for the Fav 15 in the Boldbrush Competition.. It’s an honor since the artists are all pros. I have pieces going to Art At The Mill in the spring, and I’m trying to build a body of western work to get into western auctions. I’m taking portrait commissions and I just started doing ‘Monday Morning Sketches’ which are small paintings that will sell online.â€
Dan is not alone in his future endeavors. His son, Jordan Knepper, is the Executive Director of the Piqua Arts Council in Piqua, Ohio, and helps with hosting workshops.
With creativity flowing in his veins, it is not hard to see why Knepper enjoys living in an 1800s Victorian home. Also a pet lover, you can find his beloved Hamster, Scout, posing in artwork that hangs in the Dayton Children’s Hospital and in a mural in the Piqua Mall.
For more information online – www.danknepperart.com.
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