Though his focus was on 2-D art techniques like airbrushing and graphics and he graduated with a degree in product design, a fateful conversation over a lump of clay with his friend back in Montana would alter the course of his life from that day forward. Dennis dove headfirst into sculpting. In a cold garage studio, he began creating emotionally charged, life-inspired, technically complex sculptures. Between working for his father and periodic lucrative modeling gigs (Google it!), Dennis built his own backyard bronze foundry from the ground up. He jokes,“The term ‘starving artist’ took on new meaning during that time.” After months of trial and error, countless hours of research and numerous failed attempts at the casting process, Dennis had a few complete sculptures ready for showing. Then, the great dilemma: he needed somewhere to sell them. He needed to create a gallery—so he did just that. Dennis couldn’t afford Main Street real estate, so the unexpected location of Bozeman’s north side was chosen. From gutted warehouse space, Planet Bronze was born of Dennis’ design, direction and labor. Eighteen years later, it is still a stunningly beautiful, contemporary, welcoming two-story gallery that leaves newcomers in awe every time.
“Back when the gallery was still just bare walls and concrete floors, I knew I had to make a name for myself,” Dennis says.“The airport was expanding and put out a call to artists. I submitted a drawing of the grizzly bear sculpture, ‘Guardian Spirit,’ which was modeled after my dog and represented a protective presence over the airport. They accepted it. Then the reality of creating a piece of that size hit. I had never done anything that large before, but it pushed me, and is still one of my most well-known pieces.” A: How did the cowgirl theme come into your work? D: I noticed a lack of really great, current figurative artists in my field. I wanted to create technically superior figurative bronze sculptures to embody the spirit of the ‘Old West’ and, since I have always admired the female form, I chose to portray women as strong, confident and empowered, yet tender. There are stories behind their eyes, their stances, their expressive beauty. The inherent sensuality might be offensive to some, but the intention is to glorify women, to speak of their vital role in the ‘wild west’—emphasis on the ‘wild.’
2014/2015
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