Meet Dann Zehr
BIO: I am more inspired than ever by the contrast between light and darkness, and light and shadow, in everyday subjects. These contrasts captivate me, and I’m always looking for ways to capture them in watercolor. This is what fuels my creativity right now, and I see these moments of disparity everywhere. There’s so much beauty around us, and I want to bring some of it to life on paper or canvas. Art tells a story, and I believe the timeless themes of “darkness and light” tell that story inherently. (There’s so much inspiration out there—and never enough time to paint it all!) I believe we are all “little creators,” or “sub-creators,” as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien put it, made by “The Great Creator” to create something unique—whether it’s visual art, music, dance, or even a career. Creating is part of our nature, and that’s why finishing something we’ve created feels so satisfying and rewarding. For me, though, the true joy lies in the process itself. Recently, I’ve started painting "en plein air," taking my inspiration directly from the outdoors, and I’ve absolutely loved the experience.
WHY SMYRNA? I’ve been in Smyrna since the summer of 1994. My fiancé at the time (now my Wife of 30 years) had an aunt and uncle who had just moved to Smyrna. He was a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Smyrna, now Lifepoint Church, Smyrna Campus, where he has been the head pastor for many years. My wife & I were getting married in December of 1994, so her aunt and uncle welcomed me into their home until I found a place of our own for my future bride and me. Smyrna is our home now, where we have settled down, are still active at Lifepoint, and have raised our three children.
FAVORITE SMYRNA SPOTS: Lately, I have driven around Smyrna in search of spots to paint “en Plein air” / in the open air that didn’t have much of an audience. As a result, I have found several places, sometimes off the beaten path, but also, for example, Rock Springs Road, a really beaten path and a pretty busy road. I painted a small “Rock Springs” series of some cool buildings on that road with good character, history, and interest in painting. Nice Mill Dam and some of the boat ramps like Jefferson Springs have some natural beauty that I’ve tried to capture on paper. At one point, just driving around to find someplace to set up my plein air kit, I found a remote place at the intersection of Old Nashville Hwy & Enon Springs. There happened to be a couple of old, abandoned structures that turned into an unexpectedly pleasant plein-air painting. Once, I set up at the back of Gregory Mill Park on a Saturday morning, by the woods next to the river, and got a nice painting from it, too.
THOSE IN SMYRNA WHO SUPPORT CREATIVITY: First and foremost, my wife Ashley and my family have always been incredibly supportive and encouraging. Beyond them, several individuals and groups have played a significant role in my artistic growth. Ron Alley, Susan Gulley, Larissa Reed, Danny and Karen Smith with Carpe Artista, and various members of the Smyrna, TN Arts and Culture Advisory Committee have all been sources of inspiration and guidance. I’m also grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from artists Brenda White and her son Matt Maynard. Additionally, friends from Lifepoint Church, Springhouse, and Hope Fellowship have shown their support and encouragement for my artwork, which means so much to me.
SUPPORT THIS ARTIST: Visit my Fine Art America website https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/dann-zehr, buy a print or another product there that features my artwork and use it to decorate your home or office. Prices are as low as $17 for an art print! While I don’t make that much money from these sales, knowing that I created something that people are enjoying is extremely rewarding!
FAVORITE QUOTE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“ ~ John 3:16
FB: Dann Zehr
INSTA: @dannzehr
