Artist Profile: anthony dyke
Anthony Dyke with his artwork.
Anthony Dyke is a Vermont-born artist whose journey began with photography and evolved into a passion for painting. Grounded in nature and city life, his work explores the tension between realism and abstraction, drawing from personal memory and place. His richly layered surfaces reflect both discipline and emotional depth.
Tell us about who you are and what inspired you to pursue a career in art.
I was born in Norwich, Vermont, and had an early interest in photography. I attended The John Doscher School of Photography in Woodstock directly out of high school and landed a job working at Vogue-Wright Studios on Park Avenue in New York City. My love of nature led me back to New England where the change in the seasons inspired my developing interest in landscape painting and naturalistic abstraction including interior and figurative subject matter. My desire to pursue art was encouraged by my parents and teachers throughout high school and college.
Can you describe a typical day or routine in your studio?
A typical workday in the studio starts with a few cups of coffee and music to get me in the mood. I generally sit and look at my paintings for a while until I pick up an idea of where to start. Typically, four to five hours of painting ends with a walk to my vegetable garden in The Fens (summer) or around my busy neighborhood which includes Boston’s Fenway and Back Bay area.
What materials and techniques do you prefer to work with, and why?
I work primarily with oil on canvas and wood panels. Cold wax and traditional mediums allow me to alternatively layer and scrape the paint to produce a textural surface. This process continues until the desired effect is achieved and my vision comes into focus.
How do you approach color and composition in your paintings?
The composition often starts with an original photo I’ve taken in either an urban or pastoral setting. By using a photographic source, I’m able to reconstruct an interesting composition, befitting the format of the canvas and tap into an emotional connection to the place in real-time and/or memory.
Provincetown Canteen by Anthony Dyke
What do you hope visitors will take away from your exhibition?
I hope visitors will share my enthusiasm for painting. It is the nonverbal connection that often speaks the loudest and lasts the longest. I would feel satisfied just knowing my work is being seen, respected, and appreciated.
Is there any advice you would give to aspiring artists based on your experiences?
My advice is to keep an eye on your own vision while being perceptive to the changing times. Resilience and versatility will get you a long way.
Are there any particular artists or movements that have influenced your work?
Hans Hofmann, Diebenkorn, Hockney, The Bauhaus, Gerhard Richter, David Park, and Rothko come to mind immediately. Throughout the years there have been many other great artists whose work has resonated and inspired me. Having an MFA in painting required a lot of Art History, research, and writing about great art.
How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work?
Prioritizing time in the studio for painting every day is important for keeping me engaged in the work. On the other hand, having experiences outside of the studio can be just as imperative for keeping the ideas current and the paintings fresh.
How has this latest series contributed to your artistic growth or perspective?
I have found that my current tendency to harden my edges has led to a more minimal approach to the work. The composition, color, and form have tightened with less reliance on happenstance and more emphasis on conceptual intent.
In 20–25 words, describe your current artwork or series.
Emerging from figurative and landscape painting into the realm of abstraction, I draw inspiration from interior spaces and my urban surroundings.
“Emerging from figurative and landscape painting into the realm of abstraction, I draw inspiration from interior spaces and my urban surroundings.”
- Anthony Dyke
