The art of daniel zimmerman resides in authenticity. Large in scale, vivid, grounded in the natural world.
“Large scale work has the ability to be immersive,” says the Atlanta-based painter, whose work in oil encompasses botanical themes and portraits. “The concept of full immersion is connected to authenticity in my mind. My aim is to make work that truly represents the world that I am creating for myself and others to enjoy.”
Zimmerman believes larger works open a portal to viewers, offering them the option to fully escape into the work. In this way, he says, the observer many come to feel what it was like to make the work. It communicates with varied sensibilities.
“I believe the buyers of my work understand and appreciate the essence of what makes studio art great,” adds the Mississippi native. “They can feel the passion that goes into creating the work. They see beyond convention and are looking to bring inspiration into their homes.”
Typically, they are buyers who also savor the studio experience. “They understand that this is not a commercial venture, but my entire life,” Zimmerman says. “They enjoy coming to see where the works are created and to know that they are directly supporting my ability to create in the future. They also understand that they are contributing to the arts overall.” Ideally, he likes to share his work via studio visits in order to meet new people.
Zimmerman’s work can be found in private collections throughout the United States and parts of Europe. In various capacities, his work currently is on view in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. And he is a fixture of the annual CONTEXT Art Miami exhibition.
It is not just the subjects of his paintings that captivate Zimmerman but oil paint itself. “I do love the tactile nature of paint,” he says. “I think it is something primal that when I am surrounded by palettes and canvases full of paint it gives me a feeling of abundance. I often paint in a heavy impasto style as a result of this feeling. My hope is that this feeling is then conveyed into the finished work. When a patron brings my work into their home, I want them to feel the same kind of feelings.”
Zimmerman grew up in a rural environment and later attended the University of Mississippi, where he studied banking and managerial finance and earned an MBA. He moved to Atlanta in 2012 in search of broader vistas.
“I wanted to experience city life, but I wanted to stay in the South to be near my family, so Atlanta made the most sense,” he explains. “I decided to come here for a few years for the experience, but found myself a very nice life, so I am still here. I came to Atlanta like many young people who are intrigued by what life is like in a metropolitan area. I wanted to meet all kinds of people, to learn about how they live and open myself up to a broader sphere of influence.”
Zimmerman was also intrigued by the idea of communities of artists, as well as new educational opportunities to help him grow as a painter. That Atlanta is an airline hub, and a ready conduit for travel, was another impetus.
“I travel constantly,” he says. “The way that I learned how to paint was by traveling and going to see different artists at work, mainly in ateliers in Paris. I love the work of Manet, Sargent and Monet.”
Zimmerman invested years in creating pottery before turning to painting. Though he wanted to be in the arts, he wasn’t yet comfortable with the larger art world. Today, he is very much at home in that realm.
“My work comes to life as I experience the feelings I want to convey. Think of the longing you may feel when it is winter—cold and dreary—and you dream of a sunny spring day. Through my work I can make that happen for myself any time I desire,” he says. “When it comes to division of work, I can’t really say when I will be inspired to paint flowers and plants or portraits. I just paint what I know I am supposed to paint that day.”
Zimmerman’s focus remains oils. He believes the classical medium grounds and connects him to the history of painting. “Oil paint also forces me to slow down,” he explains. “It takes a really long time for most of my paintings to dry and during that time I get to enjoy having them in the studio. I study them. I absorb the optimism they exude. It has become an important part of my process to enjoy my work before it goes out into the world. One additional bonus of working in oil is that I can mix in lavender essential oil into the paint. This infuses the paintings with an incredible scent. I believe that it is in our nature to love the natural world. It has surrounded and nurtured us since the beginning of time. I think this is a part of all of us, and I am just expressing it.”
When Zimmerman explores an art museum, he marvels at great works as much as any other visitor, amazed that these artists were able to create such works with the same tubes of paint he utilizes. “It simultaneously demystifies and enhances my respect for these artists,” he says. “They were just people, too, though they also had an incredible amount of talent and skill. One of the most fascinating concepts behind a work of art is that there is no limit to the number of minds it can inspire. It does not depreciate with each view and has the potential to touch countless minds.”
For Zimmerman, contemplating this potential in his oils is exciting. The possibility that his work might inspire someone enhances the process and meaning of creating the work.
Zimmerman’s style has been described as an amalgam of impressionism and realism with aspects of neo-expressionism, alloyed with an optimistic sensibility. He never attended formal art school. Rather, his training and development have been self-directed.
“When I think of the foundation of my style, the base layer is rooted in inspiration,” Zimmerman says. “This is not art for commerce. This is art as an expression of freedom, creativity and joy. This informs my work in that I allow myself to explore freely between styles and sometimes merge multiple ones. I have not tried to name what I do, at least not extensively. I see my role as focusing on my creativity. My job is to seek inspiration and to allow the work to flow through me.” *
Bill Thompson covers the arts, design and books.
