Denny Karchner’s “Western Artwork” was spawned from a deep passion for the love of a pencil and paint at a very young age. He has been producing “pencils” since the tender age of three-years-old and after a 34-year hiatus, has recently returned to paints. Here, you will find the newest in a series in oils, acrylics and pencils. It is Denny’s tightest and most intense works ever.
Denny’s passion and love for “pencil and paints” are gaining him increased notoriety among museums and private collectors. Over the last several years, Denny has worked closely with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming and has had art included in their Annual Art Auctions. In the Fall of 2005, Denny had two pieces accepted into the prestigious “Booth Western Art Museum” for their permanent private collection. Those pieces are “Horse Capture” and “Chief Tosh~A~Wah.” In 2008, the Booth purchased another piece from Denny of Jim Dunham who is one of the directors at the museum. In 2006, the family of the late, great Curt Gowdy commissioned Denny to paint his portrait which is the only portrait ever done of him. Lastly, Denny has been hired by Art Rooney, Jr., Vice-President of the 2008 NFL Superbowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers to paint many of the old Steelers from the 1940’s on up to the 1970’s Super Bowl Teams. In 2008, Mr. Rooney purchased Denny’s pencil study and the oil painting of Pittsburgh Steeler, Troy Polamalu. He donated the pencil study to the John Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and he donated the oil painting to the NFL Hall Of Fame, in Canton, Ohio. What an honor for a “Lifetime Fan” and former resident of “The Steel City.”
Studied:
Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA 1970-1972
Books:
2004, George Mongon Points West Magazine, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, 100 pages (color)
2005, ArtWanted.com Creative Minds, Art Slam, 254 pages (color)
2008, Ruanaidh, Story of Art Rooney Book, Published by Art Rooney, Jr., 485 Pages, Hardbound (8 Steelers pencil illustrations)
2010, Steelers Digest, Volume 22 No. 24, 30 pages (color)
2010, Beyond The Goalpost by Pittsburgh Sleelers, Andy Russell. Cover Art and Graphics (color)
2011, Cruel Curse, Book, Published by Del Huntsman, 100 Pages, Hardbound (Cover art,Inside graphics)
2012, Backwoodsman Magazine, Nov./Dec. Cover painting – Across The Great Divide (color)
2013, Backwoodsman Magazine, July/Aug. Cover painting – A Wyoming Spirit (color)
2013, Steelers Art by Denny Karchner, Published by Art Rooney, Jr., 46 Pages, Hardbound & Softbound (color)
2013, The Coffin Corner Magazine, Cover painting – Pittsburgh Steelers, L.C. Greenwood (color)
2014, Backwoodsman Magazine, March/April Cover painting – Spirit Horse Hunter (color)
2014, A Passion For Art and Football, Published by Art Rooney, Jr., 100 Pages, (black/white)
2015, Desires of Your Heart, Published by Michael Gasaway, Cover art and painting, Christina,150 Pages, Softbound
2015, Backwoodsman Magazine, January/February Cover painting – The Mountain King (color)
2015, Angels and Cowboys, Published by Michael Gasaway, Cover art and painting, Kid Rio,152 Pages, Softbound
2016, Backwoodsman Magazine, March/April Cover painting – The Sentinel of Southfork (color)
2016, Life’s Highway and Dusty Trails, Published by Michael Gasaway, Cover art and painting, Tom MIx,155 Pages, Softbound
2017, Backwoodsman Magazine, January/February Cover painting – First Snow (color)
2017, Rooney/McGinley Boxing Club, Published by Art Rooney, Jr., 97 Pages, Hardbound & Softbound (14 Boxer pencil illustrations)
2022, The Strip! Magazine, Inside article on the artist. (Pages 40-41).
2023, The Book of Cards, (Pages 44-47, 92, 93).
Museums:
Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia
NFL Hall Of Fame, Canton, Ohio
Senator John Heinz History Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Exhibition Record (Museums, Institutions and Awards):
2006, Booth Western Art Museum, Borderland Gallery, Solo Exhibition
2009, Senator John Heinz History Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
2009, NFL Hall Of Fame, Canton, OH
Exhibition Record (Galleries and Art Shows):
2005, Bay Area Artists Exhibit, Tampa, FL
2006, Progress Energy Gallery, New Port Richey, FL
2007, Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gallery, Solo Exhibition, PA
2007, NFL Hall Of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary Exhibition, Canton, OH
2007, Senator John Heinz History Museum, Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA
2007, Sacred Buffalo Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Cody, WY
2008, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Annual Art Auction Exhibition, Cody, WY
2008, Senator John Heinz History Museum, Pittsburgh Sports Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA
2008, Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gallery, Alumni Exhibition, PA
2009, Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gallery, Alumni Exhibition, PA
2012, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2012, The Saint Vincent Gallery, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
2013, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2013, Art of the Steelers – John Heinz Sports History Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
2014, Wildlife & Western Visions Art Show – The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2015, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2016, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2016, Travel of the West Show, Dallas, Texas
2017, The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
2017, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2018, The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
2018, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2019, The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
2019, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2020, The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
2020, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2021, The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
2021, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
2022, The Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, Florida
Dealers and Representatives:
The Liddle Gallery, Clearfield, PA
Caleco Gallery, Cody, WY
Cheryl Gowdy, West Palm Beach, FL
Plainsmen Gallery, Clearwater, FL
Artist’s Statement:
This portfolio actually consists of a lifetime of work. Only I can know that my closest family members have sacrificed many, many things through out my lifetime to get me where I am today. Everything from “sacrificing” that “favorite pencil” to draw with as I sat in church at the age-of-three. To those closest to me “going without” while I was attending art school.
To not having my time and attention when I thought that running a company was more important. To making life-altering moves that helped an art career elevate to another level. The sacrifices from that pencil at the age-of-three to where I sit now in my life are countless. But not once did anyone of them ever try to discourage me from going down that artistic path to success.
As a client or buyer, I want you to know where the talent and determination originated. You need to know with whom you are dealing. I am a man, made early on in life by all those who surrounded me on up to the fellow artists that I create with this day. Almost everyone that I have had contact with in my life has left their mark. More good ones than bad. They both teach. My family and friends have instilled an ethic of honesty and trust that I use everyday as an artist and as a person.
Lastly, I dedicate all my art to my children, Lindsay, Hillary and Dillon. Each one, so gifted and talented. They are by far my greatest creations ever. Also to my wife Leigh, who made life-altering moves that helped an art career elevate to another level. For it was they who sacrificed all that time and attention when I thought it was for a better future. Little did I know that the future was the next minute of a day when I could have, should have but didn’t. Nevertheless, I know they still love me and I just want them to be proud of me. It is they who inspire me to go on striving to improve my art skills as well as myself in every single piece that I create. I thank God everyday for them and all the others here and the ones who have gone before me, who made me what I am. May God bless each and everyone.
-DK