Dan Dunn (cartoonist)
Encyclopedia
Dan Dunn is an improvisational speed painter and the creator of Paintjam, a theatrical performance art show in which paintings are created in minutes on stage. His painting commemorating the men and women of the Columbia shuttle mission hangs at NASA.
in Huntsville, Texas
, Dunn specialized in oil painting and watercolor, also doing sculpture and life drawing. While a student, he started drew caricatures at Six Flags, Astroworld in 1977 as a college student; he continued through nine seasons.
Dunn worked in advertising and graphic design but left that field to devote himself to caricatures full time in 1989 when he launched a caricature artist talent agency, Caricatures Ink. His numerous caricatures include George H. W. Bush
, Sting, Jimmy Buffett, Joe Theisman, Fran Tarkenton, Ray Childress, Warren Moon and Houston Mayor Bob Lanier.
Eventually, he was drawing at over 200 events per year with people waiting in line for hours.
stage show, and his daughter posted video from the show on YouTube, where it received millions of hits.
Dunn has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
, Last Call with Carson Daly
and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
. He has performed all over the world painting such people as Richard Branson
, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi and Natalie Cole. He has opened or appeared with Shaquille O' Neil, Bill Cosby, Fergie, Chris Angel, Elvis Costello, Lionel Richie, Natalie Cole, Taylor Hicks, Taylor Swift, the Plain White T's, Maroon 5, Queen Latifah
, Mike Rowe, Craig Fergusen and Carolyn Rhea.
Dunn lives in Houston with his wife Cindy and five children.
Biography
Studying painting at Sam Houston State UniversitySam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...
in Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Walker County, Texas, United States. The population was 35,508 at the 2010 census. It is the center of the Huntsville micropolitan area....
, Dunn specialized in oil painting and watercolor, also doing sculpture and life drawing. While a student, he started drew caricatures at Six Flags, Astroworld in 1977 as a college student; he continued through nine seasons.
Dunn worked in advertising and graphic design but left that field to devote himself to caricatures full time in 1989 when he launched a caricature artist talent agency, Caricatures Ink. His numerous caricatures include George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, Sting, Jimmy Buffett, Joe Theisman, Fran Tarkenton, Ray Childress, Warren Moon and Houston Mayor Bob Lanier.
Eventually, he was drawing at over 200 events per year with people waiting in line for hours.
Paintjam
He was inspired by the speed painter Denny Dent, who died at the age of 55 in the prime of his career. Deep in debt, Dunn was looking for a way to meet his family's growing needs. He had success as part of an Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
stage show, and his daughter posted video from the show on YouTube, where it received millions of hits.
Dunn has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m....
and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
. He has performed all over the world painting such people as Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi and Natalie Cole. He has opened or appeared with Shaquille O' Neil, Bill Cosby, Fergie, Chris Angel, Elvis Costello, Lionel Richie, Natalie Cole, Taylor Hicks, Taylor Swift, the Plain White T's, Maroon 5, Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, Mike Rowe, Craig Fergusen and Carolyn Rhea.
Dunn lives in Houston with his wife Cindy and five children.