Born in 1946 in Philadelphia, PA, Dennis Wentworth Porter graduated with honors from the Santa Barbara Institute of Art (Brooks) in 1974, studying with Robert Frame, Ray Strong of the California School and abstract expressionist James Jarvace.
A professional artist for over 35 years, Mr. Porter was primarily influenced by Sargent, Cezanne, Monet and the American abstract expressionists of the 50's and 60's. After Brooks, he taught, painted and lectured throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska; and was featured in two PBS productions: "Six Northwest Artists" in 1983, and a four-part instructional series of painting techniques.
For many years Porter painted coastal California and the American Southwest, living in Jerome, AZ, Taos, NM, and Santa Barbara, CA. Using loose, abstracted strokes to achieve realistic impact, Mr. Porter is known for his large format oils and richly pigmented pastels. In 1993, he moved his studio to San José del Cabo, Mexico where he resides most of the year, traveling and painting during the summer months. Internationally collected, he has exhibited in prestigious galleries in Beverly Hills, Sedona, and Scottsdale, and San Jose del Cabo. His corporate collectors include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Honeywell and Johnsonville Farms amongst many others. His recent work features both Pacific Northwest and Mexican subjects as well as those from his travels abroad.