Meet Dirk Harman | Landscape Artist & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dirk Harman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dirk, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I started drawing and painting when I was in high school. but never expected to become an artist. I went to UCSD as a Lit. major and took some random art classes to round out my schedule. After earning my degree, I wrote a novel, got it published to good reviews but poor sales and eventually became a high school English teacher. Then, in the middle of my teaching career I transferred to a newly opened school in Chula Vista that had a beautiful art studio classroom and no art teacher. The principal gave me the opportunity to start the art program and within two years I was a full-time art teacher. That lead me back to practicing my own art and eventually going outside to paint “en plein air” – the French term for painting outside in natural light. It wasn’t long after that I started selling my work, mainly in La Jolla. I retired from my teaching job five years ago and began to spend more time on my art. I view it as a passionate pastime, not as a job, On the other hand, I have sold hundreds of pieces over the years and am now receiving commissions to do large paintings for private collectors, so I guess you could say I also have created a successful small business. For me, the most rewarding part of the job is meeting people from the local community, from across the country and all over the world who have come to La Jolla to enjoy its natural beauty and then happen to meet me by chance as I am painting on a bluff above the ocean. When I look back, my art career is more like a a happy accident than an intentional pursuit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am not unique – there are many excellent plein air painters in Southern California – but I do feel that I am part of a continuing tradition of landscape artists who work outside to make their paintings. Rather than rely on a commercial gallery or studio location, most of my sales come from personal contact and interaction with my collectors. Most of them left their homes that morning never intending to buy a painting or print, but when they meet me and see me creating a new work, it wakes up something inside that I believe most people, young and old, possess – an innate love of art and nature. Meeting them, telling my story (if they ask) and then making a sale on-the-spot gives me a feeling of real satisfaction. I feel connected to the customer in a personal way and I love the notion that my art will be a part of their lives – and could even be handed down to the next generation. The challenges to working outdoors are mostly weather-related – even in moderate-climate San Diego- and would include wind (gusts), sun (too much), rain (occasionally) and clouds (that suddenly alter the light and make shadows disappear). There are, of course, many days when I don’t sell a thing, but as long as I make progress or finish a new painting, it always feels like time well spent.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have travelled enough to say with confidence that San Diego is a world-class city that offers a diverse mix of great people, places, and experiences. I consider myself very fortunate to have lived here most of my life and am always giving people I meet suggestions and tips based on where they are from and what they are hoping to do and see here. Although it is not the only place I paint, La Jolla is by far my favorite part of the city to capture on canvas. It is also the place I love to take out-of-town family and friends to make the mile-long coastal walk starting at the Cave Store past the Cove to Childrens Pool and (sometimes) all the way to Windansea. K.Nathan Gallery on Fay Ave has a great collection of Early California paintings. Jose’s Courtroom is perfect for a good Mexican food lunch (and margaritas). And I absolutely love Warwick’s Bookstore on Girard for its great selection of books sold by a knowledgeable and caring staff. Plus sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, osprey and whales appearing here and there if you just look up and pay attention while you walk!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Once I started to paint on a regular basis, I sought out a few mentors whose work I admired. I took classes with Cathy Carey and Jeff Yeomans, two local San Diego artists who also happen to be excellent teachers. Through his website, I contacted John Comer, a highly respected landscape painter based in Santa Barbara with a studio down in Southern Baja. John was and continues to be a big influence on how I approach painting, especially when I am outside trying to capture a momentary scene in natural light. All the generous professional artists who have guided me on my own artistic journey deserve a shoutout.

Website: www.dirkharman.com

Instagram: dirk_paints_la_jolla

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-harman-59212a95/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/DirkHarman

Facebook: Dirk Harman

Other: dirkhcpa@gmail.com