After receiving his MFA from Otis Art Institute in 1974, Bruce Dean began his career as an illustrator. His work was featured in scores of national and international publications and received numerous awards, including a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.

After a decade, Bruce had his first solo show of abstractions at the Karl Bornstein Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. He has since participated in over forty gallery and museum exhibitions nation-wide. His work includes projects funded by grants from the Department of Education and the Foundation for Global Community

Bruce Has taught a variety of art classes at C.S,U.N.,  Mt. St. Mary’s College, and Otis College of Art and Design. He recently taught drawing seminars at the Museum of African American Art, and life drawing seminars to University of Southern California medical students. He was the featured artist in the December, 2018 issue of Voyage LA magazine. Bruce was interviewed about his newest work in an article titled, “Memories, Mystery and Truth,” in Create! Magazine. Bruce’s studio is one of four featured in the film, “The Brewery. Art Lives Here.”

Artist Statement:  

Each new series begins intuitively, with a focus on exploring unfamiliar territory. Over time, the narrative becomes clear.

My work is about communication. I am trying to access imagery and an essential aesthetic that I believe I share with all humans, perhaps at some pre-language level.

My newest work is about the path without a clear destination, the journey one takes without an understanding of what is being sought, the dream whose details have receded, the memory that is fading around the edges,

The work is meant to convey that there is something of importance, some question answered, but the answers remain just out of reach.

Bruce’s email

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Bruce’s fine art prints on etsy

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