ARTIST BIO

Denise is mainly a self -taught visual artist. However, she has studied with prominent artists online and in-person workshops. Her art career began shortly after retirement during the Covid Pandemic. She retired from active careers as an Occupational Therapist, Yoga instructor/ therapist and United Church of Christ Ordained Minister. Denise was born in Chicago, Illinois USA, and lived in NYC for a portion of her adult life and then returned to Chicago where she remains. Denise is the founder of Denise Grossman Fine Arts LLC. Her work in the past has primarily consisted of soft pastel medium featuring landscapes and floral designs. However, recently Denise is exclusively working in medium of oil and cold wax. Her work is described by followers on social media as being unique yet beautiful in scope/ approach and powerful.
What sets Denise apart is that she views her artwork as a Ministry which profoundly impacts her work as an artist. Her hope is that her artwork will provide comfort and peace to the viewer.
At this point in time, her art has shifted primarily to the medium of oils and cold wax, which she feels provides a more expansive modality to further explore her purpose in life, creating art that has the capacity to nourish and comfort` our hearts.

ARTIST STATEMENT

To answer the question, regarding the healing aspect of my work, initially I start the process with a thumb nail sketch/ value study of my subject in tandem with prayer, meditation and intuition. However, once my art making commence. I am acutely aware that something greater is guiding my process. Most importantly, I can assess this from the vantage of my lived experience, as Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ.
Art as a medium has the capacity to heal us at a heart level. With that said, in turn art facilitates self-discovery, shifts in perspective, in a positive sense. As a retired Ordained Minister, I envision my art as a force for healing in fact, it has healed me, why not another?
Thus, art at its core is a Spiritual calling, for me. One that profoundly impacts my work as an artist. Moreover, I am primarily a self-taught artist. The past five years, I have had the opportunity to study informally online with professional pastel artists, formally in a local fine art school, in person workshops with professional artists.
My goal- create art that captures a part of life/ nature, relating to the viewer in a deep sense eliciting thought and comfort.
I am currently attracted to drawing and painting textured surfaces with parts of structures to depict resistive qualities, relating current day issues via landscapes/florals.
Memberships: Redrock pastel society of Nevada, Associate of American Impressionist Society.
Awards: Donatello Award, juried competition, International Fine Artists Award 2023, Best Awards International juried competition honorary mention in Still Life 2024.
Currently, I continue daily practice drawing /working with oil and cold wax medium experimenting with texture. I continue to exhibit my work throughout the USA and internationally in galleries and competitions.

Chicago, IL / United States