Dennis Carrie

Statement

    All of my paintings, landscape, still life, or portraits, are based on careful observation, study and thought about the subject. The objective is always to convey respect for the subjects, representing them with the honesty and integrity that they deserve.

   Recently I have been working on a series of paintings called Portraits of Integrity. This work consists of a sampling of historical figures whose lives were defined by good character. Some were notable for their fundamental contributions to the knowledge and understanding of the physical world, others helped to secure the rights of people to a free and safe society. Each conducted their lives with courage, hard work, self-discipline, honesty, humility, and personal responsibility.

   Unfortunately, in today's social media dominated environment, concepts of humility, personal responsibility, and respect for the truth are not always encouraged. Contemporary pressures of social media, particularly on younger people, lead toward the admiration of those obtaining notoriety with very little accomplishment. The subjects represented in my paintings are meant as an educational opportunity for the viewer to contemplate real historical figures whose conduct reminds us about the dignity and potential of human beings. Their value was not based on a number of followers or any type of popular approval rating. Each of these individuals was an extraordinary person and, as such, a signifier of how good character elevates and enhances all of our lives.