Artist

Denise’s art style is a fusion of Eastern & Western painting traditions, combining precise realism with soft impressionism. Her background in dance gives her a passion for dancers and musicians of different cultures, but especially for the Jazz & Swing era. She is steeped in the history of the 1920’s – 1940’s enjoying the architecture and fashion of the Art Deco period from different countries. Her love of wild life and tropical themes surrounds her subjects. And the contrasty lighting of the film noir and silent film era tend to light her subjects. But her main trademark is that her paintings illustrate the songs and music of the era she loves so much.

Denise’s background is in watercolors, Chinese Brush painting, oils and acrylics. She studied art through out school, and with Master Chinese Brush Painter Pei Jen Hao for 15 years. In 1982 she went to China, just as it was opening up, to travel and paint with Master Hao and other students.

Denise started painting when she was about 5 or 6 years old. Along with dance it is one of her great passions. Professionally, she began her own Art Studio in the early 1980’s as part of an artist co-operative in Palo Alto, California.

Currently Denise is working on a Jazz/Swing series featuring Josephine Baker & Frankie Manning.

Her work is available in originals, giclees, cards, and wearable art.

SOLO SHOWS:
2008 NEW ZONE GALLERY, Eugene, Oregon, USA
2007 LE PETIT LOUVRE, Herrang,Sweden

GROUP SHOWS:
LE PETIT LOUVRE, Eugene, Oregon 2008
NEW ZONE GALLERY 2002 – 2009

Dancing

Denise has been dancing all her life

"My grandmother taught me the Charleston and hermother taught me Swing dancing. I received well-rounded training in various dance forms such as Flamenco, Jazz, Ballroom, Modern and Ballet. But my love is Swing and for the last 15 years I have specialized in the Lindy Hop, the father of all swing dance. Lindy Hop emerged out of the Harlem Renaissance in the late 1920’s in response to the hot new Jazz and early Big Band sounds of the era.

When Lindy was rediscovered about twenty years ago due to the re-discovery of Frankie Manning, the most significant innovator and choreographer of Swing Dance. I began studying almost exclusively with Frankie and attended workshops all over the world.  Lindy is one of my great passions; it is cheerful, healthy, and challenging. I have been very fortunate to know Frankie and learn from him the original style, feel and exuberance of this dance. Now it is my joy to perform & teach it to others.

I have performed and taught with master teachers in Lindy for the last fifteen years. I have had my own dance studios for the last 11 years through which I teach five days a week. I feel I perform and teach this wonderful dance form with skill and accuracy, as I have a zeal for authenticity and a love for this art form."

You can contact her by email at:
Denise@DeniseSteele.com