Every day we hear millions of millions echoes of voices trying to be heard. Why not make art as your inner voice and an impactful tool to express feelings. Dan chose this path to express himself - he translated his feeling onto canvas that became his language to show his inner world. At age 16 his art teacher gave him direction to use art as the media to speak for himself and that journey is still going with full enthusiasm and great spirit. Dan has written and featured himself in the Oscar winning documentary “King Gimp” and this documentaty is currently used as educational material. He was also featured in a superbowl commercial that ranked #1 in a USA today survey to promote self-expression.

You have won an Oscar Award for documentary 'King Gimp? How did your life change after this event?D: My artwork skyrocketed in the public eye. People are more willing to take time to understand me. I do not know if they now realize that I do have something to say, or if what I do say just blows them away. I have spent a year or more doing speaking tours and talking to many different types of groups. Wherever I go, people recognize me, particularly after I did the super bowl commercial. Inside, I am still very much the same person, but it does feel good to be respected and appreciated for who I am. I hope that people who have seen King Gimp have gained this new awareness not only for me but also for others who have physical disabilities.

At what age did you start painting? What draws you to art? Do you think an artist’s soul reflects in his art?D: I always liked and did art, but in high school at the age of 16 my teacher started to give me the tools to have art say what I wanted it to. My art speaks what I would be saying with words. It also says the feelings that are inside of me. Those feelings would make people close to me scared and worried about me. Maybe I want people to see these feeling, so they know everything is not happy in my world. Translating myself on to canvas became my language, something I needed to exist.

Which is your favorite art creation and why? Who is your favorite artist?D: My favorite medium is oil paint, because it has a long working time and the colors are so vibrant. The two Artists that I look at the most are Check Close and Phillip Guston. I look at Close not so much that he also has a disability, but for the way he crates art. Just like mine art, his work is made of many marks and it does not make since viewing it up close. The colors and marks all come together from a far view to create a masterpiece.
Now Guston I look up to, because he developed symbols of his own to represent his world. The images in his work tells his life story just as I use images of the wheelchair and headstock to talk about my world.

Can you tell us more about your live painting demonstration?D: These events are done with small groups, so everyone can be involve in the process. I do a draw for 2 to 3 hours; during this time people are free to observe me work. They are also welcome to ask questions to make the event more interactive. I have been known to donate the work to the school, or organization as a remembrance of me being there. They also have the option of using the drawing as a fundraiser.

Which role do you like the most, being an artist or a motivational speaker? Which is your preferable method to inspire and why? What do you like about your role as an international speaker?D: That is a hard question, I feel as a speaker you may talk for an hour and still miss the message the audience is looking. Before each event I make sure to have a couple minutes with the people that invited me, so I can tailor my message to them. I think both roles go together, because I am not there to tell people how to act. My goal is to help change the way people think about life and how to treat other people. The best part about my “job” is my Wife and I get to travel and see how other people live.

Who is your inspiration?D: The everyday person trying their best to get what they want out of life.

In order of importance, could you prioritize the following: Wealth, Fame, Health, Family and why?D: Family and friends are at the top, because they are the networks of ninjas that have made me so successful.

What are your other hobbies?D: Music, movies, and traveling to have new experiences this are what the Artist in me.

How can art play an important role for our special children?D: Of course art can be their voice, but can also build ones’ self esteem. When people give praise to any child for their art, it will build their self worth. Art can also be a bridge between people to start conversation. I often say: my art is not for decoration, but for conversation.

Any special message for our community?D: You can be and do anything that you want. If you meet a no sayer along your way, use that to full the fire for your passion and build find your own ninjas to support your goals.