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View more works by Dan Vigil
Dan Vigil is a contemporary Taos artist and master printer who created works that can be referred to as abstract impressionism. His paintings and monotype is works of finite emotional beauty. Vigil’s current works bring to us creations of spiritual meaning that is both personal and universal.
Dan a second generation artist, father was the internationally renowned artist Veloy Vigil (1931-1997). Dan was born January 2, 1953 in Aurora, Colorado. However, his grandparents were native-born New Mexicans from Mora. Further back in time the Vigil’s have been able to identify Indian blood in their roots. In the early 1960’s the family moved to Ohio where the elder Vigil was employed as an artist for the American Greeting Card Company. Dan notes that growing up in Ohio holds some of the fondest memories he has of his early years. The family remained in Ohio until he was twelve years old. At that point Dan’s father was promoted to art director at American Greeting Cards’ new plant in Southern California.
Dan attended Fullerton Junior College and registered as architecture major. Later on he changed over to art. This occurred after he had become an assistant to his father and been exposed to the art of printmaking. During that time, he won a tuition–free scholarship to the Laguna Beach School of Art. Here he came in contact with master printer and Tamarind trained artist Conrad Schwable. While attending art school Dan gave major importance to those courses that emphasized the drawing, painting, and sketching. After completing the art program he served two years apprenticeship with Schwable at his Ocean Works Lithograph Studio. There he had the opportunity to work as a printmaker to some rather well know artists, artists such as Sam Scott, Debra Remington, Joey Baker and others. Dan went on to do his entire father’s printmaking and it was during this time that family purchased their first press. Dan believes, “He had what he would call a good formal art education, but believes he got more of a practical art education working along side his father.”
In the early-1980’s Dan moved to Taos with the idea of developing his personal art career into something that involved more than printmaking. As printmaker to a number of well-known artists he had been exposed to “a great deal of incredible art, created by a variety of artists.” Now, he wanted to become more involved in his own art and become professional artists.” Fortunately, since his father was an already well-known artist, Dan was able to follow along in his footsteps. Dan notes that his father greatly helped. The elder Vigil allowed Dan to develop his own manner and make his own mistakes. Dan worked very hard and applied his talent to developing what would eventually become his personal style.
Dan believes his father has been the greatest influence on his painting, especially since he so strongly emphasized those all-important principles of shape and color. Although he and his father’s ideas of art may be somewhat different they still discuss them, but say the talks “always come back to the basics of technique, shape and color.” He further noted that his father stressed a lot of discipline and firmly believed that “if you can’t draw, you’re not going to be able to create abstract figures that are believable.”
When Dan was asked how he describes his particular type of art to the layman and potential collector, he replied “what I do is usually called abstract impressionism.” Abstract Impressionism started really in the early 50’s. From well-know artists as Nathan Oliveira, Diebenkorn, and David Park. The backgrounds are usually flat shapes some texture and the figure loosely formed. I further explain it is an idea I have in my head, one that I attempt to develop and put onto paper to create an image that I believe reflects that particular idea.
He continues, “The final image may not be what the viewer thought it should be, but it is my personal impression of that idea.”
When Dan was questioned if he felt that his art was heading in new directions, he replied, “As of now, no. I’m comfortable with the image I’m doing now; I want to continue to perfect my personal style. I the process I would like to develop and cultivate an audience that is more aware of what I am trying to accomplish.” I hope my work would have strength and beauty, with timeless spiritual meaning.”
Education
Painting Workshop
Fritz Scholder 1990
Ocean Works Lithograph Studio
Apprentice Printer 1980-1982
Laguna Beach School of Art
1979-1981
Veloy Vigil Studio
Artist Assistant
1976-1989
Fullerton Junior College
1974-1976
Orange Coast College
1972-1974
Professional Profile
Vigil Press (professional Printmaking studio)
Taos, New Mexico 1982-1991
Monothon Site Santa Fe
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe, New Mexico 1997-2001
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
San Antonio, Texas 1986
Lithograph Workshop
College of Eastern Utah
Price, Utah 1989
Monotype Demonstration of Createx Colors
New York City, New York 1988
Printmaking Workshop
University of New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico 1993
Printmaking Workshop
Taos Institute of Arts
Taos, New Mexico 1992
Ski Instructor
Taos Ski Valley
Taos, New Mexico 1990-present
Exhibitions One Man
Gallery Elena
Taos, New Mexico 1988-2004
Suzanne Brown Gallery
Scottsdale, Arizona 1989-1991
Beth O’Donnell Gallery
Tucson, Arizona
Aspen, Colorado 1987-1989
Desurmont-Ellis Gallery
Taos, New Mexico 1986
Group Shows
Gallery Elena
Annual Toy Show 1996 and 1997
Suzanne Brown Gallery
Scottsdale, Arizona 1993
Gallery Elena
A Family Affair Art Exhibit
Taos, New Mexico August 1992
Kneeland Gallery
Sun Valley, Idaho 1991, 92, 93, and 1994
Kneeland Gallery
Las Vegas, Nevada 1992 and 1994
Los Tres Vigil’s
Design Center
Taos, New Mexico July 1991
Galeria Capistrano
Santa Fe, New Mexico September 1989 and July 1990
Southwest Passages
San Juan Capistrano, California 1990
Impression Gallery II
Tucson, Arizona March 1991
Suzanne Brown Gallery
Scottsdale, Arizona 1989
Santa Fe Council for the Arts
Arte de Hoy Para El Futuro
Santa Fe, New Mexico 1998
Moxley Ross Naranjo
Santa Fe, New Mexico 1998
Invitational
Instituto Nacional De Antropolgia
Show featuring Los Tres Vigil’s
Traveling to Mexico City
Sonora, Mexico January 1995
El Mundo Del Arte
DE Nuevo Mexico
Guadalajara Book Fair
Guadalajara, Mexico November 1994
Taos Invites Taos
Taos, New Mexico 1989-2004
Headley-Whitney Museum
Lexington, Kentucky June 1992
Park Synagogue Art Festival XII
Cleveland, Ohio October 1988
Millicent Rogers Museum
Miniatures Show 2003
Publications
Mystique Magazine
“Vigil Press” January 1985
Taos Magazine
“Color and Shape” December 1986
Art News
“Celebrating Emerging Artist of the Eighties” January 1988
Southwest Profile
Cover Artist March 1988
Art Talk
Dan Vigil June 1988 and 1989
The Adobe Press
Face to Face with Dan Vigil Summer 1992
Tradicion Revista
“Visions of the Heart” winter 1997
The Magazine November 1998
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