Daan Hoekstra studied art and liberal arts at the
University of Dallas, in a program that included a semester in Rome.
He apprenticed for one year with painter Ray Vinella in Taos, NM. He
continued his studies at Atelier Lack, a unique program modeled on
19th century French ateliers. Through William Paxton and R.H. Ives
Gammell of the Boston School, Hoekstra can trace his lineage of
instruction back to Jean-Leon Gerome and Jacques-Louis David.
In 1984 Hoekstra founded
Classical Realism Quarterly, a journal about the technique of
traditional painting, and he served as editor until 1987. The
publication continues to this day in the form of
Classical Realism Journal (ISSN 1072-6764), to which he is an
occasional contributor.
Hoekstra assisted on the fresco project at St.
Mary's College, the largest buon-fresco project in the US since Diego
Rivera painted in Detroit.
From 1987 to 1989 Hoekstra lived in Japan, where he
operated a working studio, exhibited at the Onomichi Landscape Show,
and learned from Toshiro Aoki, a realist who learned his craft in the
museums of Europe.
Hoekstra started a mural company in 1992 and mural
painting became one of his primary pursuits. He has been commissioned
to paint murals in dozens of residences.
Daan has exhibited across the United States, and in
Japan and Mexico. His works are included in private collections in the
U.S., Japan, Spain, Italy and Mexico.
Statement by the artist
"In my work I strive to bring contemporary subject
matter together with the very old idea that nature is the best model
and finest teacher. The adage that art imitates nature is true, but
incomplete. Art emulates nature--art distills the order and beauty of
nature. This idea fell out of favor in the 20th century. The fall from
favor was both a symptom and a cause of humanity's increasing
alienation from nature. In this age of ecological crisis, a
tradition--about making things as if nature is the best model and
teacher--is relevant to people of various fields of knowledge who are
trying to heal the rift between humanity and nature, between nature
and culture.
Most of my recent work focuses on the concrete links that bind
humanity to nature. When we drink water, clouds, rivers and oceans
flow through us, every day. What once might have been a drop in the
Nile becomes a living functioning part of the body. When we breathe,
the sky flows though us every minute, binding us inseparably to flora.
The universe is poetic. I try to express that in my work."
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Professional Experience: |
| 2000 - 2002 |
Casa de Ladrillo, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.
Mural decoration of mansion and private chapel in large
hacienda. Train local painters to do decorative painting and
faux work. |
| 1992 - 2000 |
Hoekstra Studio, Cleveland, OH. Murals,
fine art, commissioned oil paintings and restoration of
artwork. |
| 1987 - 1990 |
Tokushima, Japan. Supported working studio
in Japan with part-time teaching job. |
| 1986 - 1987 |
Fresco Assistant. Assisted in all phases of
buon fresco project at St. Mary's College, the largest fresco
project in the nation since Diego Rivera painted in Detroit. |
| 1984 - 1987 |
Founder and editor, Classical Realism
Quarterly. The only periodical written for the
classically-trained painter and addressing the technique of
traditional painting. Under Hoekstra's tenure as editor, the
National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution
subscribed. The periodical continues to this day.
(ISSN:1072-6764) |
| 1980 - 1982 |
Esmeralda Co., Dallas, TX. Fabrication and
installation for large national art glass company. |
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Education: |
| 1986 - 1987 |
Apprenticeship in buon fresco, mural
painting and drawing with artist Mark Balma. |
| 1984 - 1987 |
Atelier Lack. Intensive program in
traditional painting, modeled after 19th century French
ateliers. |
| 1982 - 1983 |
Apprenticeship with painter Ray Vinella, in
Taos, NM. |
| 1980 - 1982 |
University of Dallas. Liberal arts and Fine
Art. Semester in Rome with visits to Vatican Museum, Uffizi,
Prado and Louvre. |
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Publications: |
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| Art Business
News: |
February 1998, page 114. "New
Editions" |
| Classical Realism Journal: |
Volume IV, Issue I |
| The Japan Times: |
Sunday, August 14, 1988 |
| Classical Realism Quarterly: |
Volume I, Issue 3, Volume II, Issue 4 |
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| Restoration: |
| 1998: Cleaned and restored four 6' x 12'
oil on canvas paintings from St. Joseph's Church (Cleveland,
OH) to be hung in a new mausoleum in Avon Lake, OH for
Catholic cemeteries Association. |
| 1996 - 1998: Restoration of decorative
painting and ornate plaster at the Pentecostal Church of
Christ, Cleveland, OH. |
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| Notable
Commissions: |
| 2000 - 2002: Mural decoration for chapel of
Casa de Ladrillo, Alamos, Sonora |
| 1997: Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, 4' x
6' painting for 150th anniversary celebration. |
| 1997: Strom Collection, Shaker Heights, OH.
Three scenes from Puccini's "Il Trittico". |
| 1996: Ulrich Collection, Taos, NM.
Landscape. |
| 1995: Strom Collection, Shaker Heights, OH.
Two landscapes. |
| 1988: Rogers Collection, Tokyo, Japan.
Several commissions |
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Exhibitions: |
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| 2001 - 2002 |
Festival Cultural Dr. Ortiz Tirado, Alamos,
Sonora, Mexico. Ruta de arte. |
| 2001 |
Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, NC.
Still life exhibit. |
| 2001 |
Galeria de Alamos, Alamos, Sonora. Group
exhibit. |
| 1999 |
The Civic, Cleveland Heights, OH. Solo
retrospective. |
| 1998 |
Taos Convention Center, Taos, NM. In honor
of Ray Vinella. |
| 1996 - 1997 |
Bonfoey Gallery, Cleveland, OH. Group
exhibit. |
| 1996 |
Cleveland State University. People's Art
Exhibition. |
| 1994 - 1995 |
West End Gallery. Corning, New York. Group
exhibit. |
| 1994 |
Salmagundi Club. New York City. Group
exhibit. |
| 1994 |
Mural Art Gallery. Cleveland, OH. Group
exhibit. |
| 1993 |
Akedemia, Cleveland, OH. |
| 1991 - 1992 |
Vixseboxse Art Gallery. Cleveland Heights,
OH. |
| 1988 |
Landscape Exhibit, Onomichi, Japan. |
| 1984 - 1987 |
Atelier Lack, Minneapolis, MN. |
| 1980 - 1982 |
University of Dallas, Irving, TX |
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