Dennis Sirrine

Dennis Sirrine began drawing and painting as a child, continued during his academic years, graduating with honors in Fine Arts/Illustration from Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan and earning a BFA in Painting at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. After a teaching stint, he left his midwest roots and traveled the country, eventually continuing his studies in Europe for three years. There, he frequented the museums of Italy and France painting from the Old Masters and toured throughout India before returning to the States.

While building a career in the commercial field of illustration, design and art direction, Dennis passionately honed his skills as a painter. His representational oil paintings begin with paint to canvas without preliminary drawing, all prima style, either plein air or in his studio. His paintings are truly “serene,” evoking a calmness of spirit — a stillness of the soul — escaping the frenzy of the city or embracing the solitude of the countryside. His New York cityscapes and New England rural/seascapes are visual meditations that beckon viewers to discover their own inner calm. Since moving to Mystic, Connecticut he has found refuge in painting the changing seasons of Barn Island, an ongoing series that represents his current source of inspiration.

From 1997 to present, Dennis has a distinctive record of winning awards and has been awarded 18 during this period.