Maynard Dixon Country 2010

About Dan Pinkham

Born in Los Angeles, California, on January 31, 1952, Daniel Pinkham has been a principle force in the resurgence of plein air painting. His paintings seem to convey a spirit of calm from the landscape he loves and holds so dear. Pinkham is a poet of the outdoors, and his works often have to do with rest, peace, quietness of spirit, and the spiritual calm in his heart. Pinkham began studying art through private instruction from ages nine to twelve. He attended Art Center College of Design from l972-l974 after which he received a full scholarship to apprentice for five years with Russian born artist, and renowned teacher Sergei Bongart (l9l9-l985). To further his artistic training, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and Russia. He later opened his own art school, which he operated from l980-l985. He now travels and paints on location much of the year. During the 1970’s, Pinkham founded the Plein-Air Artists of California, a group of six artists dedicated to painting on location. He also became a founding member of Plein-Air Painters of America. He and his wife, Vicki, are founding members of the Portuguese Bend Artist Colony, which is dedicated to preserving open space and natural habitat. Pinkham’s works are in the permanent collections of LACMA, the Carnegie Art Museum and the Autry National Center of the American West. He is a Signature Member of the California Art Club, as well as a member of the club’s board of directors. He is also a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America. Pinkham received the Grand Prize at the Plein-Air 2005 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and in 2006, the Best Western Genre Award at the California Art Club’s 95th Gold Medal exhibition. Most recently, Pinkham received the Gold Medal, Best of Show award by his artist peers, at the Maynard Dixon Country 2008 Invitational as well as the Gold Medal for Best of Show at the California Art Club’s 98th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition in 2009. Pinkham has been featured in American Artist, Art of the West, Southwest Art and American Art.