Artist/mortician Dwight Cushman has a heartfelt appreciation for nature, wildlife, and subjects that blur the line between reality and dream. His paintings are visual love notes depicting a psychological dreamscape.
Born in Hollywood, CA, Dwight worked as as artist in motion pictures, animation, and theme park attractions. In his personal time, Dwight reveled in drawing animals and aquatic life at zoos and Aquaria.
After graduating from The ArtCenter College of Design, Dwight's experience in entertainment and love of wildlife led him to destination development work for wild animal parks and aquariums. Although he was thrilled to have combined his two loves, the long hours sitting in a cubicle at a computer screen couldn't have been more far removed from the wildlife exhibits and enclosures he was designing.
Aiming to free himself from the urban rat race, Dwight longed to relocate to a place where he could make authentic art inspired by life in natural world. He left his role as a commercial artist to reinvent himself as a mortician while pursuing his fine art aspirations in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Shows & Recognitions
2023
- "Birds of the Rocky Mountain Region" show opens May 4, 2023, at The Brinton Museum - Sheridan, WY
- 40th annual Wyoming Game and Fish Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Show - Cheyenne, WY
- 12th annual Plein Air Fest, Etc. on Saturday, June 17, 2023 - Plein Air Fest - National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson, WY)
2022
- SAGE 12th Annual National Juried Show Sage Community Arts (Sheridan, WY) https://www.artinsheridan.com/juried12
- SAGE 12th Annual National Juried Show Sage Community Arts (Sheridan, WY) https://www.artinsheridan.com/juried12
- Video blog interview: https://thatparkplace.com/putting-around-the-usa-waterfall-at-grand-canyon-of-yellowstone-a-video-interview/
Plein Air Fest - National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson, WY) https://www.wildlifeart.org/events/plein-air-fest-etc
- Newspaper Article "A Brush with Death" - Thursday, April 21, 2022. https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/mortician-turns-to-painting-wyoming-landscapes-for-therapy-inspiration,39933
- Wyoming Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition - WY State MuseumArt Cheyenne, WY