Dan Collins

The natural landscape has long shaped my artistic vision — first in the quiet farmlands of McHenry County, Illinois, and now in the windswept beauty of Door County, Wisconsin. In recent years, my work has centered on the shorelines of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, where I’m continually drawn to the play of light on water and the rugged, elemental forms of the land. These scenes offer both challenge and reward — especially in capturing the subtle transparency of water and the depth of the natural world.

I paint in the style of photorealism, using acrylic on large-scale canvases to convey the richness and scale of each environment. This medium allows me to faithfully render fine detail while inviting viewers into the immersive calm of the scene. My work is shaped by the influence of Harold Gregor, an internationally respected artist, professor, and my mentor at Illinois State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts.

Each painting reflects not only a place, but a lived experience — a moment of stillness, light, and memory made lasting through craft.