Dwain Naragon

My early childhood was spent living and working on farms in Indiana and Wisconsin. This environment influences my work to this day. Days working and traversing the countryside have created an awareness of nature and the desire to create images of what I have seen.  Growing up in small to medium-sized towns encouraged me to explore, which led to a curiosity and interest in the arts and fine crafts.  Many of my aunts and uncles were craftsmen. This influence has also become embedded in me.  While still in high school I delved into the arts, developing an interest in drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics.  

My skills and interests in the arts expanded while in college at the University of Wisconsin. No means of expression seemed off my radar. I delved into every art form I could find or hear about.  At this time I developed an interest in teaching.  I continued my studies with an emphasis on teaching.  After leaving college I took teaching positions in the Green Bay School system as an art teacher.  Eventually realizing that this level of teaching was not my goal, I applied and was accepted into the graduate program at Arizona State University.  While in grad school studying ceramics, I also taught classes in drawing and ceramics as part of my graduate studies.  These experiences eventually led to teaching positions at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Eastern Illinois University.

While still an undergraduate, all the way through my teaching career, I entered and was accepted into exhibitions. This has led to my ceramic and drawing works being shown in a variety of locations such as Japan, Belgium, Germany, The Dominican Republic, Australia and numerous venues here in the United States. Recently, I have been starting to exhibit my paintings as well.

While teaching ceramics at Eastern Illinois University, I also became interested in furniture making. This interest led to my developing various wood products and accessories which enhanced my furniture design.

Since retiring from teaching in 2017, I have developed a strong interest in painting. Influences from my childhood have led me to focus on landscape painting at present, but I’m leaving the door open to other approaches.  I have been painting since March of 2021 and feel comfortable with my progress.

My influences for painting come from studying English painters, David and Michael James Smith, Russian painters Ivan Shishkin and Issac Levitan and Danish painter Peder Mork Monstad.  These have been my main influences, but I have many more that affect my work in one fashion or another.

I have come to realize and appreciate that continuing to work and grow go hand-in-hand, enriching my life and relationships. The explorations continue!