Meet Daniel Elliott

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I never really thought about art, I just made stuff. Sophomore year, my high school art teacher submitted some of my works to my states scholastic art competition. It was a pair of abstract watercolors that I didn’t remember painting that ended up taking first place for painting and best in show. I won a cash prize, free college drawing class and even sold one of the pieces in the competition. I guess that’s how this all got started. Fast forward a couple of decades, and here I am. Living outside of Houston, making art.

Is there an easy road in art? Or life for that matter? Art and life are never without obstacles, challenges, and struggle. It’s what helps to shape and reveal who we are. I try not to verbalize my struggles, instead, I choose to internalize them, and eventually paint them. It’s way easier to paint them than solve them, lol.

I paint what I feel, see and remember.   My art attempts to bridge the gap between reality and abstraction, sometimes leaning more to one than the other. My art is also an expression of ‘things felt’ rather than things seen. I work without detailed studies to create atmosphere through prominent, expressive brushstrokes.

Reflecting the language of dreams, the images are both dark and hopeful suggesting intriguing narratives. I use color to represent the rapidly changing emotional conditions of memory as it responds to the subject. There’s always a new challenge, so I try not to think too much about previous accomplishments.

However, last year I had the opportunity to work together on a project with two of my favorite artists in Houston, Taft McWhorter, and David Adickes. It was one of the coolest experiences/projects I’ve ever been involved with. I also had a piece picked up by the Woodlands Art Trust. A public art collection located within the Woodlands High School.

Over the years, I’ve worked with several non-profits, donating works to fundraisers, and painting live at galas. I love painting live and without a net. My participation in these events has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes. That’s something I hope to continue in 2019 and beyond,

I’m working on some ideas for 2019. Maybe a solo show? I didn’t have a solo exhibition in 2018, so I’m due.