Dennis Schommer - Artist

For more than 70 years, Dennis Schommer's artwork had embodied nature by breaking it into its simplest forms. Through his drawings, watercolors, and oils, Dennis created unique expressions of nature and the human condition, often blending the two as if they were one. 

"It is with profound sadness that the family of Dennis Leo Schommer announce his passing on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the age of 84 years. Dennis was a devoted husband and father whose Catholic faith played a significant role in shaping his life and those close to him. Shortly before his passing, he said, “The things you value most in life are the relationships you create.” This was most evident when over 200 friends and family attended his historic art show this past July at the township hall in his hometown of Port Sanilac. The family would like to thank those who visited with Dennis and were able to celebrate his life and artistic accomplishments before his passing."

The Final Show

During the Summer of 1959, Schommer held his first art show at the Township Hall in his hometown of Port Sanilac. Sixty-four years later at this same location Dennis had his last. Several hundred attendees came to the Township Hall to show their appreciation and to say their goodbyes to Dennis while enjoying a unique art exhibition entitled "Portrait of a Young Russian - A Retrospective" that consisted of work from significant periods of his career.

Original Postcard-Size Art Available Online

Many of Dennis' large watercolor and oil paintings begin as small postcard-size studies. We've decided to list a small collection of these pieces online for sale. These affordable originals range between $40-$75, making them wonderful gifts.

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The Artist

Born in 1939, Dennis' artistic growth started in early childhood and extended through his years at Detroit's Society of Arts and Crafts.

Over the decades, Dennis worked tirelessly to create an immense body of work in numerous mediums, including plaster, oils, watercolors, graphite, and mixed medium colleges.

  • Dennis with "Portrait of a Young Russian". Stollen while on display at a Hamtramach gallery in the early 60's.

  • Dennis with his wife Patti posing with several early works.

  • Dennis' studio rented from Patti's uncle Zig in Port Sanilac (1963).

  • Dennis at one of his earliest artshows held at the Port Huron Junior College.

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  • Bishop Kenneth Povish discussing the corpus on a crucifix Dennis created during the 1960's.

  • "Terra Verte" exhibited during one of Dennis' earliest shows (Port Huron Junior College in 1962).

  • Dennis working on a sculpture during his art school days at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Detroit, MI (1960).

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Last Works

Dennis' last works consisted of medium sized watercolors, large oils on canvases, and 4x6 mixed media.

Exhibitions included:

2024 "Portrait of a Young Russian - A Retrospective" (Port Sanilac)

2021 "Northwoods" (Chicago).

2020 EAB Fair (New York).

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A select number of 4x6" postcard size originals are currently being offered for sale on the website. If you are interested in viewing Dennis' oils or watercolors, please contact us to arrange a private viewing at his home studio.

View Available Artwork for Sale