Salvador Dali (another muse by the way) was once asked by a young university student in Barcelona: Mr. Dali, how can I learn to paint like you? Dali’s response: “Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you.”

By no stretch do I equate myself with Dali, he was a master and I am learning (hopefully) every day; I only mean to say that I fully agree with him: learn your skills at a foundational level—then bring your passion to the table. Dali was an inspiration for me early in my career. As was Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko, …and many more. What I learned, my “take away”, was to bring my heart, how I felt, to my work. It’s not about dripping paint or color-blocks; it’s about the emotion that brings that paint to the canvas or an image to the screen.

I began, as an artist, as a painter. It was the experience of witnessing Pollock’s work at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA, in 1965 that I believe planted the seed of passion in me. I came home that day and started painting; and I recall that my feeble attempts to make “good” art only came when I got MAD (at it, something, or someone).

I have had my work as a photographer, my style, described as being painterly. That a painter (often) starts with a blank canvas and then puts IN what he or she wants, the wheres, the whats, the hows. I focus my attention on not just what to include, but also on what to exclude, what to take OUT. I’m sure you all know Sam Cooke’s sermon “…you’ve got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive…” This is how I make my photographs.

I went to college intending to become an architect. I am certain this influences the subject matter, the structural patterns and graphic qualities of some of my work. But I have never willingly “taken an art class” (or a photography class) in my life. “I was a problem child.” In this sense I am self-taught, except, of course, that I did as Mr. Dali advised and studied the masters.

My photographs are printed in Limited Edition sets. Generally small sets, Limited Editions of 7 or 10. I want people to appreciate and value my work, but I am not a puppy-mill. When an Edition set is filled “the negative is destroyed” (so to speak). On each of the Portfolio/Gallery pages is a catalog of the images listing its particulars such as the Edition size, print size, and current price. If you are interested in a work and reside in the local of a Gallery Partner listed for that image, please contact the Gallery directly.

Also, a note re: the print size. In general I feel the size of the image, the print, is as much a decision of the artist as the composition or color is. Just because “it’s a photograph” and can relatively easily be printed at different sizes doesn’t mean it should. But in all cases if you have an interest in a particular image: let’s talk.

My photography is in collection at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), and the Chinese-American Museum (Los Angeles). I am Licensed by Getty Images, Blend Images/Spaces Images. I am represented by The Haen Gallery in Asheville and Brevard, NC., the Mike Wright Gallery, the Abend Gallery, and Gallery 1261 (all) in Denver, CO, and The Downstairs Gallery in Savannah, GA.

Dan Kaufman appreciates his Gallery partners.   If representation is listed for this image please contact the Gallery directly.