Dennis mcnett biography

Dennis McNett is a.
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dennis McNett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bio: Dennis McNett is an interdisciplinary artist whose work conjures a synergistic storm of printmaking, sculpture, storytelling, and community.

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Bio:

Dennis McNett is an interdisciplinary artist whose work conjures a synergistic storm of printmaking, sculpture, storytelling, and community.

A multifaceted maker of large-scale wood carvings, print editions, skateboard graphics, and beyond, McNett is also known for his iconic, larger-than-life woodcut print-covered puppets and masks that are used to lead narrative ceremonies and public processions. His unique happenings and workshops have been hosted by diverse art institutions, universities, music festivals, and special events across the US and abroad, including over thirty visiting artist and lecturer appointments.

McNett has a BFA from Old Dominion University and an MFA from Pratt Institute, where he taught from 2004 to 2013. Dennis studied under Bob Blanton of Brand-X Editions where he later was employed between 2001- 2004 to print works by artists such as Chuck Close, Helen Frankinthaler, Alex Katz and many others. He founded Wolfbat Studios in 2007 as a nomadic DIY workspace encompassing a fully functional printmaking studio, wood shop, and puppet/sculpture shop

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Outlaw Printmakers

Collective of printmaking artists

The Outlaws of Printmaking, also known as "The Outlaws" and "Outlaw Printmakers" are a collective of printmaking artists that exists internationally. The idea of "Outlaw Printmakers" formed from a show in New York at Big Cat Gallery in 2000. Tony Fitzpatrick, the owner of the Big Cat Press which is associated with the gallery, decided to call a show there "Outlaw Printmaking" to reflect attitudes of the printmakers involved in a non-academic approach to prints.^[1] As pointed out by Sean Starwars, the Southern Graphic Council print conference was happening at the same time as that show in NYC across the water in New Jersey. A handful of artists from the conference attended the show.^[2]). At that conference the core group now known as the Outlaw Printmakers formed, adopting the name from the show and continuing their own events, happenings and shows outside of the academic norm. The core members are Bill Fick, Tom Huck, The Hancock Brothers, Sean Star Wars, Dennis McNett and Cannonball Press. Many of the

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Dennis McNett

Dennis McNett was born in 1972 and grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. He moved to New York in 2001. He has been carving surly block prints for over 18 years. His encouragement as a kid came from his blind grandfather, who told him over and over again that his drawings were good. Later influences came from the raw high-energy imagery pouring out of the early 80's skateboard and punk rock scene.

Dennis McNett's graphic aesthetic and love for narrative work has been translated in many ways. His work ranges from larger than life Viking ship performances and parades in Philly, resurrecting Nordic giants on West Broadway in Manhattan, Dragon slayings in Oklahoma, masks, installations and sculptures to unique hand-carved wood cut pieces, traditional relief prints, and graphics.

Participating in both the fine art and design worlds, Dennis has been fortunate enough to create series’ for Anti-Hero skateboards, design shoes for Vans, have work fill the windows of Barneys, NY, and participate in the Deitch Artparade. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Juxtapoz ma