Sierra Dante is a romantic painter and ceramic scuplturist, who lives in the Sunshine City of Artists . St Petersburg, FL is her Artist Riviera, where talented artists flock to this cool vibrant city and amazing sunlight. She paints with a mélange of styles, creating her romantic-magical-realism with a local vibe of Florida.
In her pink flip flops, she works in her Florida studio everyday, where the sunshine is
abundant and the light is pure. She enjoys spending each day in
the outdoors for inspiration. She equally enjoys spending time with other artists, who inspire her just as much. She continually explores ways to express those
inspirations, dreams, conversations, and thoughts through the magic of the
canvas.
Sierra's Inspirations, Series and Daily Life:Writer and philosopher, Ayn Rand is someone who I connect with deeply. Although she passed in 1982, her ideas live on. In her book, Romantic Manifesto, Ayn Rand described herself as a romantic realist. She defined romantic realism as a portrayal of LIFE as it should or could be. She wrote, "The method of romantic realism is to make life more beautiful and interesting than it actually is, yet give it all the reality, and even a more convincing reality than that of our everyday existence." In my work, I take this philosophy a step further by bringing a little magic to the canvas. I bring together objects that I see in my dreams and would love to see interact in the natural world. According to Ayn, my creative process is self determined. Artists naturally create art that will automatically infuse their own values, judgements and personal philosophies.
There are many artists that inspire me in various mediums, styles and eras. Yet, the artist that I base my foundational education from is William-Adolphe Bouguereau
(November 30, 1825 - August 19, 1905). He was a French academic
painter and famous in his time for depicting photo-realistic work. As a
traditionalist, Bouguereau created an idealized world, depicting
realistic genre paintings in mythological themes. However, his mythical
themes were with modern interpretation, a selection of classical
subjects, and emphasis on the female human form. At the Mussee D'Orsay
in Paris I was blown away by his "Birth of Venus",1879.
My current work, The Goddess Florida Series is my modern vision of the mythical with a
local vibe. Venus, Ceres and Diana are all One. I wonder how these
goddesses would interact with the natural world in Florida. In
celebration of life, they get to protect, nurture and honor nature in
ways I can only dream.
Reuniting with Florida a few years ago, has given me a new appreciation of her beauty. I have dedicated this series to a
more loving and deeper understanding of her natural environment. I am
fascinated by her Flora and Fauna – native, domestic, non-indigenous (like
myself) – but well acclimated to her environs. She has inspired and motivated
me to tell her story through the eyes of a classical Goddess with a local vibe.
The Sunshine City of Artists is my Artist Riviera. St Petersburg,
FL is beautiful city that sits on the sparkling bay. This unique city
celebrates its artists and offers a mélange of diverse and
talented painters, sculptures, ceramists, designers, crafters,
musicians, tatoo and culinary artists. I like to think we're a laid
back bunch with great taste! Where can you find friendly folk, drinking a sunset margarita, while roaming the galleries and shops in their flip flops all year
long?
In her pink flip flops, she works in her Florida studio everyday, where
the sunshine is
abundant and the light is pure. She enjoys spending each day in
the outdoors for inspiration. She equally enjoys spending time with
other artists, who inspire her just as much. She continually explores
ways to express those
inspirations, dreams, conversations, and thoughts through the magic of
the
canvas.
Sierra's Career:
Fine Art of Sierra Dante, St Pete Beach, FL 2002-present.
Ceramic Artist & Owner of Dante Vineyards, Guest Cottages & Art Studio, Napa, CA, 2003-present.
Architect for Hummel Architecture, Boise, ID. 2000.
Sierra's Educational Path:
Plein Air Intensive in Joucas de Provence, FR, 2011.
Plein Air Intesive, Paris, Aix, Nice, Bordeaux, FR, 2009.
Figure & Portrait Intesive, Florence, IT, 2007.
Ceramics & Painting at Portland Community College, 2001-3.
Master's of Architecture, University of Idaho, 2000.
Bach. of Architecture, University of Idaho, 1998.
Minor of Art, University of Idaho, 1998.
Various Art Studies, San Diego Community College, 1994-6.
Various Art Studies, Brevard Community College, 1990-2.
Sierra's International Travels For Inspiration:
Provence, Paris and Bordeaux, France, 2009.
Salvador Dali's home and studio. Cadaques, Spain, 2009.
London Exposed (Museums, Broadway Shows, Galleries)1998,1999, 2007.
Sydney Opera House & Botanical Gardens Australia, 2007. New Year's Celebration.
Firenze, Umbria, Portofino, Venezia, Italy, 2007.
Chili & Argentina, South America, 1999.
Greece, 1998.
Rome, Italy 1997.
Guadi's Works, Barcelona, Spain, 1997.
Musee D'Orsay, Musee D'Lorgaree, Le Louvre, Paris, France, 1995.
Chagall Museum & Studio, Nice, France, 1995.
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