The artist says:"Tango for me is a metaphor for life, and love, and is about connection to another human being. There is nothing to compare with that elusive but sublime moment when you and your partner are in a zen-like place where you merge together into the music. I hope you feel, through my use of form, color, and texture, your own passion for the dance."
Comments We've Received
"I love the mood your work creates. Your piece was a powerful and beautiful presence in the room and attracted many comments. Thank you for sharing it!"
Mitra Martin
Founder and Director, Oxygen Tango, Los Angeles
www.oxygentango.com
"There is a beautiful luminosity in Dennis's work, as though the joy of enlightenment is somehow projected into visible light. His dancers communicate the intimacy and balance of a true and complete partnership."
Johanna Siegmann
Tango performer and workshop leader, author of "The Tao of Tango"
www.taooftango.com
"I think what draws me to your work in particular is that you capture the romance and vulnerability of tango - and tango connections - in various ways - in each work. There is a romance and male/female dynamics - but the overt power struggle :) you see in some other art - is not as present. There is more nuance. Lots of tango art is about that drama and often shows an extreme pose. That is tango too- but it is not 'my tango' for the most part. Your figures capture the tango world most of us live in - so it is the romance we know -and is accessible - and still 'forever' tango. There is a warmth and still mystery. Each canvas has another unique tango 'conversation' going on. You can feel it. I can feel both the movement and a certain stillness."
Marcy Goldman
Dancer and tango blog author, Montreal
www.tangoconfidential.blogspot.com
"Received your print. LOVE IT!!!!!"
Bonnie S.
New York
"Your tango art captures the essence of the duality of the dance -- male/female, yin/yang, light/ dark, fast/slow -- in a sophisticated expressionistic aesthetic that challenges the viewer to enter into the visual paradox that echoes the fundamental energetic of the dance. Your pieces move beyond the expected depiction of passion and beauty into a realm where fantasy hits reality. It's not always pretty, it's not always nice, but it is what is -- fantasy/reality -- the ultimate experience of duality."
Tina T.
Ojai, CA
"Dennis Hartley's paintings reveal him to be far more than a just a capable practitioner of his craft. He's an original, a gifted artist who is constantly exploring new combinations of texture, color, and composition. I find there's always something new to discover in Dennis Hartley's work."
Steve, G.
Collector, Portland OR
"Portraying passion in figurative paintings is among the most difficult tasks an artist can assume. But, Dennis images ring true with the passion, grace and verve of the tango, communicated through color, form and his special way of positioning and cropping the image so that it expands beyond the surface it occupies. Walls glow and floors become illuminated, radiating colors that the artist picks up within his subject's clothing. It's a measure of Dennis great skill as an artist that he can take transport us into the wonderful, mysterious, and sexy world he paints."
James Shay
Artist, San Rafael, CA
"Your paintings convey the warmth and closeness of tango we love so much!"
Rika N.
Eugene, OR