Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Work of area artist Warren Dennis on exhibit at Carlton Gallery

Carlton Gallery continues its 26th Autumn Exhibition with some of the finest paintings, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, fiber art and pottery from the area’s local artists, along with those of national stature. The gallery is very fortunate to have an outstanding retinue of artists whose rich and diverse collection of fine art makes Carlton Gallery one of the most well known in the region.

One whose work is admired and highly collected is Boone’s own Warren Dennis. Dennis is one of the first artists to exhibit with Carlton Gallery in its 26th year reign.

The art of Warren Dennis is not realistic or naturalistic, but is a celebration of life with all its intimacies, invitations and passions. His subjects appear to be simplistic, yet upon further contemplation, one is pulled into the complexity of life. The humorous and engaging child-like view encompassed in the art of Dennis reflects his sincerity and honesty as seen in his elongated figures that stand as testament to the human condition.

Created in oils, pencils, and acrylics, the stylized people painted by Dennis strike a chord of recognition in almost everyone who views his art. His choice of subject matter gives the impression of a moment’s hesitation to give the viewers a look and a thought before moving on with their lives.

Whether the subject matter is musicians, a happy family, a swimmer, a jogger or a reclining nude, Dennis states. “I like for my paintings to go beyond the image, to involve the viewer in a pure way. Even though the figures are distorted, I hope the public is confronted by these people as if they were real people. This sense of dramatic presence is what I always work toward”. This dramatic presence is highly evident in Dennis’s oil on canvas titled “Tea” in which a female figure dressed in green sits in a blue chair sipping a cup of tea. The figurative essence of the painting is not naturalistic or descriptive, but is obtained from observation – it is an actuality.

Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Warren Dennis earned a Bachelor of Art from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Mississippi. Dennis started his art teaching career in 1955 at Judson College in Marion, Alabama. He served as Professor of Art at Appalachian State University from 1965 to 1993 and was Chair of the Art Department from 1980 to 1984. Now retired, Dennis continues to paint in his studio in Boone.

An artist of long standing, Warren Dennis’s many exhibitions, solo and group shows, prizes and awards make a listing of many pages. His art work is part of the permanent collection of the Greenville Center for N.C. Arts in Greensboro, the Plemmons Collection of Contemporary Art at Appalachian, the Hickory Museum, as well as represented in galleries, corporate and private collections throughout the United States and Canada. The paintings of Warren Dennis were featured on Charles Kuralt’s “Sunday Morning” TV program, as well as in “Southern Living” magazine.

Visit Carlton Gallery and view the fine art in all mediums, including the “ordinary people doing ordinary things” paintings of Warren Dennis, during the 26th Autumn Exhibition which runs through November 20. The gallery is located at 10360 Hwy 105 S – 10 miles south of Boone, NC and 7 miles north of Linville, NC, with hours 10:00 to 5:00 Tuesday through Saturday and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday.

For information on gallery artists or events, please call (828) 963-4288 or www.carltonartgallery.com.