Imitating imagination through art
Greg Dye stands next to his painting, River Flows.
Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali: all of these famous artists revolutionized the painting style known as Modernism, but one artist has been on the path to an entirely unique art style, fittingly called “Gregism.” Lifelong artist Greg Dye captures colorful scenes of the American West in his own method of oil painting.
Greg has lived in Colorado since 1973 and has been an avid artist for just as long. Though it would be years before Greg pursued his true artistic vision, he delved into the art world as a teen. He first created comic books and aspired to be an illustrator. Greg’s style evolved with different mediums; he started using pastels when he began his career in commercial illustration, working with advertising agencies and design firms in 1993. IBM, Coors and American Express are just a few of the companies he collaborated with. However, Greg had always been drawn to fine art, and after becoming a college instructor, he decided his vision was ready to be a reality.
Today, Greg is solely a professional painter, working in his home studio. He uses his own “wet on wet” oil painting technique to bring landscapes to life. His color palette is daringly original, and his method is unique to his spontaneous creativity. Using a large palette knife, Greg crafts scenery with brightly colored gestural swipes, layering paint until the image comes to life—full of physical texture and light.
Living in The Canyons neighborhood for the past four years with his wife Kristin, dog Macy and feline friend Kitty Cat, Greg has always been drawn to the great outdoors. “Living in Colorado for 52 years has definitely impacted my art, because I live here. All of these amazing places to hike—that’s my inspiration. I walk outside and my brain starts turning,” he stated.
Greg has accomplished his dream, and attributes it to the principle of discovering oneself or as he said learning to imitate himself. “A lot of people imitate illustrators and fine artists. I wanted to find my own style. I imitate no one; I look to no one; I just look into myself, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he stated. While Greg found his voice through painting, he urges everyone to continue learning and experimenting with their passions, and claimed, “It’s a process, even if you’re not a painter; we’re all trying to discover ourselves.”
Greg’s paintings will be featured at the Fourth of July event in Breckenridge and are currently on display in six galleries across the state. For information on where to see his art, visit gregdye.com or check out his Instagram @greg_dye_art.
Greg Dye and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 25 years and have lived for four years in The Canyons neighborhood in the City of Castle Pines.
Article by Marly Holsman; photos courtesy of Greg Dye
