The Artist
My Journey
Kurt Dreier was raised in Zanesville, Ohio, and discovered his passion for art early in life through the encouragement of his parents. Though he initially explored pursuing chemistry and philosophy, he ultimately fused those two disciplines into his path in creating art, earning a Graphic Design degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (1987) before obtaining a B.S. in Art Education and a B.S. in Commercial Art and Graphic Design from Ashland University (1989). He later completed an M.Ed. in Computer Education and Technology (2008). Over a 34-year teaching career teaching at various public schools, Kurt developed an innovative and one-of-a-kind digital arts program at Maysville High School, integrating video, photography, and print media to serve the surrounding community. In addition to his work in K -12 public education, he taught at Zane State College and Ohio University, instructing undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students in Electronic Media, Graphic Design, and Instructional Design. In addition to teaching, Kurt has maintained Dreier Design Group LLC, which is a full service studio focusing on corporate imaging, illustration, and special event caricature. Now retired from teaching, Kurt devotes his time to his own artistic practice in his studio in Zanesville overlooking and drawing inspiration from the scenic Muskingum River.
My Vision
My work is a fusion of elements of Tonalism, Impressionism, and Expressionism, focusing on quiet, memory-filled landscapes and portraits that evoke thoughtful reflection. Primarily I work in oils, soft pastels, and watercolors. Similar to creating my event caricatures, I strive to distill a scene to its essence, much like a poet carefully selects words—where every element is essential, and even the omission of one detail could alter the entire composition. Using a limited palette I try to lead the viewer’s experience, creating an atmosphere that is both familiar and aspirational.
My paintings are also my escape and my hope. They are almost always rooted in personal experience, drawn from places I have lived, traveled, and been influenced by. Some other pieces evolve from historical photos of my family or from locations I have visited. Though these references are often black-and-white images, I interject the colors of my memory and emotions, codifying these fleeting moments into something tangible yet ethereal.
My hope is that after experiencing my work, viewers leave with a sense of peace and contemplation—a moment outside of time to reconnect or stir something from their own memory or their dream of the future. My goal is not merely to depict a scene but to create a shared experience, of what was, what could have been, or what still can be.