Born in Rural Ohio, Dean grew up near his grandparents dairy and agricultural farm. Growing up in the country and seeing wildlife first hand and spending a lot of time in the outdoors made Dean come to love and appreciate all that he saw and took in. It started with whitetail deer, ducks, pheasants, quail, fox and all kind of farm scenes.
"Seeing things in their natural habitat and how the scene changed constantly as the light would change would fascinate me. My focus totally changed when I moved to western Wyoming in the 1980's. What an incredible place for an Artist to live".
Dean's focus and love went to big game, elk, moose, grizzly bear and black bears, big horn sheep, wolves and mule deer, buffalo and mountain goats, the rocky mountains and the wide open deserts and prairies of the west. It was not only the unbelievable wildlife which represents uncountable lifetimes of inspiration for paintings but the scenery alone has merit all to itself.
"Sometimes I'll paint a western landscape and it more than stands for itself, it doesn't need the wildlife included. Other paintings are all about the wildlife and capturing them in their natural setting. You would think as you get older, the ideas and inspiration for paintings would diminish. On the contrary, my mind is flooded with ideas and inspirations for paintings I must do and and accomplish. My art has expanded to Alaska and Africa. Really the opportunities for inspiration are limitless. Who knows where else it might lead."
Dean has shown his work in many Fine Art galleries throughout the western states, Jackson hole and Cody Wyoming, Aspen Colorado, Carmel California, Bozeman and Kalispell Montana to name a few. He has received many awards for his works and is collected by celebrities, Doctors, Lawyers, Business people and private collectors and people that just love his work.
"My love and inspiration for wildlife art will never end. I hope I can inspire others to know and appreciate what God has made on this incredible Earth we live on."