Artist Don Dahlke considers travel his greatest influence. In his early years of painting, the American-born artist lived in Greece. He returned to the U.S. with a new understanding of light and shadow. Years later after his sojourn to the West Indies he added the vivid palette of tropical colors to his paintings. Don now resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and continues to energize his brilliant color schemes and architectural compositions.
Dahlke’s paintings are created with an unmistakable signature style. The shadow of a palm tree cast upon a tropical cottage and its window shutters imbues each painting with a powerful light. By interpreting light and shadow with an exceptional sensitivity, Dahlke creates a pleasing mood. Saturated with luminous and vibrant color, his paintings convey optimism, each capturing a peace and serenity through the ocean views.
Shadows on the exterior of a colorful house, objects in the room leading to the window which is open to a sapphire sea, and the vibrant blue sky above add to the three-dimensional quality of a Dahlke painting. Where do these images come from? The retreats, the mysterious objects inside them, the inviting water and cobalt sky all come from the imagination and experiences of this modern master.
