Check out Darius Dennis’ Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius Dennis.

Darius, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
“I was born and raised on the north side of Chicago. My mother did everything that she could as a single parent, to put me in the programs that she felt would nourish any skills that I showed at an early age. While attending Walt Disney Magnet School, in the first grade, my teacher Ms. Townsend recommended that my mother apply for a scholarship to send me to the Early Child Hood Program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I was accepted on a full scholarship program at the age of 5 and that didn’t stop until I was 18 years old. In those 13 years I grew passionate about hip-hop, graffiti and mathematics. I began “tagging and rapping” in the streets of Chicago in 1995 and 1996. My love for the arts of “getting up”, wall painting and lyricism have all continued since.

I graduated from Lake View High School in 2002 with credits in Advance Placement Calculus & Advance Placement Fine Art. It was then that I realized art and mathematics would be with me for the rest of my life. I swore in to the United States Air Force in 2003 and shortly after found myself stationed in the United Kingdom. While living in Europe, my involvement in the arts slowed down but never stopped due to my military service. I soon found myself traveling every other week to London to paint “free walls” and other places in the city in order to maintain the “human side” of myself while enlisted in the Armed Forces.

In 2007 I separated from the US Military and was excited to reconnect with Chicago. When I arrived, a close group of graffiti writers from my childhood had morphed into the up and coming street wear brand Novem Studios. NOVEM (which means nine in Latin) accepted me as a resident artist, networking representative and events specialist all while growing as a designer to the collective. My experience growing with Novem Studios taught me that no dream is too big and that every huge success has humble beginnings. Starting in 2005, by 2008 Novem had grown from a “basement press” operation to a store front in Ukrainian Village with over 20 retailers across the country carrying the brands own graphic t-shirts and posters. In 2009 the store, Novem Store, was selected as the location to release the 25th Anniversary Edition of Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant’s legendary book Subway Art. This book release demonstrated the Novem’s foundations in Chicago’s growing street scene and the abilities of Chicago’s graffiti community to champion behind history and traditions of the culture. In 2010 the woes of economic crisis, a looming recession, and internal differences between the 9 original members forced the brand to close its shop doors.

In 2010, I returned college to complete bachelor’s degrees in Fine Art & Applied Mathematics. After graduating in 2012 I began working in a few different and completely unrelated fields as it applies to art. However, in 2017, after 5 years of artistic hibernation, I realized that creating art is what I am meant to do. Making art and creating is what fulfills me and makes me feel whole as an individual. Since my return to making art full time, I have painted murals and commissions in Chicago and Miami, I have also designed album covers and t-shirts for individuals and non-for-profit organizations alike. My range of creativity spans from drawing and illustration to traditional mural works and graphic design.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
If I must pronounce something that is important to me and my work, it is that I want to help influence another generation to grow up and be brave enough to become artist. I believe that the job of an artist is never an easy one and that visual artist have an ability to help to world heal in ways that can’t be found in any other field of work or study.

I am particularly invested in tradition and the human hand. I believe that high art is meant to be meticulous and rigorous. I try to treat every piece of art as an original experience that is tailored to the patron purchasing/commissioning the work. I also believe, in the case of murals, that every piece should be tailored to the location and community that it represents and that no two murals should be the same or feel exactly alike.

I do my best to make work that makes people think and have conversations. I believe that the world is a fragile place with regard to our social and political views. However, I believe that hard conversations can often be facilitated by art in a kind, patient and practical way. I believe that we can make art that helps people try to find common ground in even the most distant moments. At the very least, I hope my art opens internal dialogues within people that make them ask about the origins of what they believe and feel to be true.

Lastly, I want people to know that my work generally starts with my hand drawing something. It is important to me that technology is introduced into my process only after it proves itself necessary. This is because I don’t want artist and collectors of art to forget about the traditions in art making that have gotten us to this point. I don’t believe that technology can replace the tangibles executed by putting pencil or pen to paper or brush to canvas.

The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
“No time is the right time”.

“Nothing is supposed to be perfect the first time, every college textbook I’ve ever bought was on the ninth edition”

“Learn and study sales”.

“Always go into discussions about new commissions with the plan to say ‘yes’. BUT, ask for every dollar of what you are worth every time”.

“Leverage resources of the patron or collector when there isn’t enough funding (i.e. a new coffee shop may not have the money to pay your complete cost, but can they offer you a delicious cup of coffee a few times a week, for a few months or a year?)”

“Exposure is not a form of payment anymore, social media exists”.

Always remember that when it comes projects that are positive for the community and the youth, that money is far less important than the positive impact that we can have on a young life.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website is www.dariusdennis.com and my Instagram handle is @72and10 (in memory of the great 1996 Chicago Bulls Basketball season).

The best support that I can get is to be considered for opportunities to create a painting for your home, office, or business. I have private commissions existing in various homes in the country. However, I’m looking for new opportunities to create unique work that is tailored to the individual and spaces that they are provided.

If you need a business card, or branding elements for a new company I hope that you think of me. Also, if you have a huge wall and want to beautify your community, I am absolutely ready, willing and able to help see your dreams through to fruition.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dariusdennis.com
• Phone: 3127149485
• Email: mrdariusdennis@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/72and10
• Facebook: facebook.com/dariuschicago

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