Danny Roberts

Danny Roberts was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s worked for the past ten years in the commercial arts field, but has always felt his real strengths will be found in self-expression. Whether in computer graphics, graphite, charcoal, water colors, pastels or oils, his skills are primarily self-taught.

Danny Roberts captures the human spirit in metaphorical mid-sentence with realistic skill and in layers of expression that lie beneath the obvious imagery. The human form is central to his work, often with a critical focus on the hands or the face. The recurring imagery of his works include beautiful flying fabric, figures wielding weapons of hand to hand combat which play a characteristic role in the narrative and often the visual component of a canvas is that it seems to be unfinished.

In style, subject matter and inspiration, Danny Roberts is building a reputation for refined skill and disturbing beauty. He currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife. His original art hangs in galleries throughout Las Vegas.

Artist Statement

The most important moment in story-telling is the climax. I capture the climax in the story of my images during some kind of unsettling action. There is a cause and effect: Flying, falling, shooting, exploding, wind blown or deadly still, each subject is on the verge of epiphany, and faces a new conflict. It is a brief moment, right before the decision of either acceptance or rebellion. And this virginal moment allows the viewer the opportunity to decide the ending.

Art is telepathy; I want my work to be a conversation and to transcend mere decoration. My process begins with reference images that are extensively altered to suit my visions. Very little is “made up” as I go along. Each painting is planned for, but can evolve during the work.

I worship hundreds traditional artists, yet must steer away from becoming “just like” one of them. Therefore inspiration comes by way of books, movies, comics, architecture, science, current events, and everyday observations.

My best ideas have yet to be created and I wish to spend the rest of my days getting to know them. There is a thrill with every opportunity to display my work, to be exposed and scrutinized and discussed. To me, a gallery showing is the equivalent of a wedding day, career advancement and a dream vacation, all in one.

Exhibitions

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2008 They Have Us Right Where They Want Us, M Modern, Palm Springs, CA, Mar, solo

2007 Vinyl Wednesday, TAO Nightclub in the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, NV Oct 10

2007 Heavy Hitters, D.I.S., First Friday’s 5th Aniversary, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 1–31

2007 Material Discourse, M Modern, Las Vegas, NV, Jun 1 – Jul 13

2007 Us vs. Them, Grand Opening of Damned Ink Studios, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 2-28

2006 By Any Means Necessary, MTZ Contemporary, Las Vegas, NV, Aug 7-30

2006 Friday the 13th, Gallery Au Go Go, Las Vegas, NV, Jan 13-30

2005 Externalities, The Arts Factory: Common Area 1, Las Vegas, NV, Jun 3-30

2004 The Injured, The Arts Factory: Common Area 2, Las Vegas, NV, Nov 5-30

Selected Group Shows

2007 Underdogs, Perihelion Arts, Phoenix, AZ , Dec 7–29

2007 Hell Will Be Worth It, The Arts Factory, Common Area, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 1-31

2007 Two Against…, MTZ Contemporary, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 1-31

2007 Revelations,The Box Office, Las Vegas, NV, Jul 6-26

2007 Downlow Artshow, Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, June 29-30

2007 Melt Town Collaboraton Show, Twelve18, Las Vegas, NV, Jun 8-29

2007 Trifecto; Art, Music, Life, Rockhouse Nightclub, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 6

2007 Fools of April, Damned Ink Studios, LV, NV, Apr 6-27, one entry

2007 Museum of Oddities, The Box Office, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 2-28

2007 Gotham, M Modern, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 2-28

2007 Blonde Bombshell, M Modern, Palm Springs, CA, Jan 27 – Feb 24

2007 Underdogs, Toyroom, Sacramento, CA, Jan 19 – Feb 11

2006 Confluence, Rake Gallery, Portland, OR, November 2-30

2006 Five 5ive Five Show, The Arts Factory, Common Area, May 5 – 30

2006 Naked Lady, MTZ Contemporary, Commerce Street Studios, Las Vegas, NV Sep 8-30

2006 Five 5ive Five Show, The Arts Factory, Common Area, May 5 – 30

2006 9 Iron Curtain for Obstacle Art, First Friday Street Fair, Apr 7

2006 Vivid Portrayals, The Bridge Gallery @ City Hall, Feb 3 – Apr 7

2006 9 Iron Curtain for Obstacle Art, Commerce Street Studios, Mar 3 –Jun 30

2005 Best of the Best, The Art’s Factory, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 7-30

2005 Collections, Seat Gallery, Las Vegas, NV, Aug 5-30

2005 Heroes & Villains, The Arts Factory: Common Area 2, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 4-30

2005 Collection, Studio 5ive, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 4-30

2004 Juried Show, CCSN Art Club, The Arts Factory, Las Vegas, NV, May 10-20, 2nd place

2004 Juried Show, CCSN Art Club, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 1-30, honorable mention

Bibliography

2008

Review & Photo: Gallery Crawl, 81b, Nevada Magazine, Scott Smith & Gary Reece, May/Jun

2007

Review & Photo: Art Walk: Damned Right, Racket Magazine, Jennifer Henry, Dec 7

Feature & Photo: In Flight Magazine, Vegas Culture, Oct

Review: Stephen Christmas, Vintage Vegas Internet site, Danny Roberts-My favorite artist…, Jul 12, Blurb: Racket Magazine, Downlow Artshow, curated by M-Modern, Jun 29

Photos & Blurb: Erinn, Las Vegas Daily Photo internet site, Jun 11

Photo: Hazard All, Las Vegas Weekly, Pick of the Week, May 31-Jun 6:p36

Photo & Review: Sheeps Clothing, Michael Monson, First Friday magazine, Apr/May/Jun Vo.2-Issue 4

Photos: TRIFEKTO, Rock House, LV, Spy On Vegas! Internet site, Apr, 8 April Live painting

2006

Blurb: Kelle Schillaci, Las Vegas City Life, Pick of the week: Naked Lady, Sep 22-29 2005

Photo: By Any Means Necessary, Las Vegas Weekly, Pick of the Week, Aug 3-9:p79

Review: by Art Renegades, LV Internet Collective, MTZ CONTEMPORARY:Danny Roberts, Aug 7

Blurb: Bridge Gallery, Review Journal: Neon-Arts, Bridge Gallery, Mar 3-9

Feature: Las Vegas Weekly, Gray Matters, Feb 23 – Mar 1

Feature: by Kristen Peterson, Las Vegas Sun, Lets play nine holes of art, Feb 19

Review: by Art Renegades, LV Internet Collective, Gallery Au Go Go: Danny Roberts, Feb 18

Photo: In with the New, Las Vegas Weekly, Pick of the Week, Jan 12-18:p70

Photo: 9-Iron Curtain, 944 Magazine, 944’s Choice, Issue 5.5 May 2006:p36

2005

Blurb: Kelle Schillaci, Las Vegas City Life, Pick of the week: Unhappy Hellidays, Dec 22-29 2005

Blurb: Gene Wood, Concrete Skyline web review, Alternative Press Expo; Danny Roberts, Apr 10, 2005

Feature: Kelle Schillaci, L.V. City Life, Paint, sweat and tears: 5ive Finger Miscount, Mar 24-30:p. 20

Photo: Alter Ego (Superman), Las Vegas Weekly, Super Friends Unite!, Mar 17-23 2005:p.37