I'm a Bay Area artist who paints what I feel a strong connection to, including figurative, everyday moments of life, and abstract exploration. Primarily a studio painter, I have worked in a number of creative mediums in the past including stained glass, mosaic, clay sculpture and drawing.
 
I strive to capture emotion in my work that speaks to others, using paint to express the mood or emotion that first drew me to my subject. My passion for travel provides a wealth of reference photos to work from. In addition, I often explores concepts and themes in depth by working in series.
 
Inspired by the Bay Area Figurative Artists, I especially like this quote by David Park: “I think of painting – in fact all the arts – as a sort of extension of human life. The very same things that we value most, the ideals of humanity, are the properties of the arts. The words that come to mind are many – energy, wisdom, courage, delight, humor, sympathy, gentleness, honesty, peace, freedom…I believe this is the undercurrent of the artist’s energy.”
 
I'm  represented by Gallery 621 in Benicia, CA, and regularly show in juried exhibitions throughout Northern California. I often attend professional workshops and am an active member of my local art community including the Martinez Arts Association, the Concord Art Association, and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance.

Denise Hillman

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