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A PORTRAIT OF BRUCE DELLINGER
“I want to be able to give back to a caring community while
having a sense of solitude and pleasure.”
Without a Whisper of Weakness When Bruce Dellinger of Timberville, Virginia received the news that he was this year’s recipient of the Art‐to‐Art Palette
Journal award, he knew that a milestone had been surpassed. Nearly 30 years
of study, practice, and a whole lot of patience had finally begun to pay off.
Bruce was not able to accept his award in person for “Autumn Breeze”
because of the extreme planning and
arrangements that had to be made for
travel but he was thrilled just the same.
It was not until after the uplifting
phone call that came from the Wassenberg
Art Center in Van Wert, Ohio, hosts of the
55th Annual June Art Exhibit that the
judges learned just how remarkable this
artist was. Basically self‐taught, this
amazing nature sketch artist applies each
stroke of the pencil with the only tool
available to him, his teeth.
“Autumn Breeze”
On July 11, 1981, Bruce was helping neighbors
bale hay. His designated spot was in the top of the
hay mount where bales arrived for stacking. Not a
stranger to the chore at hand, Bruce was busy at
work when a yellow jacket approached him. The
normal response was to swat at the pesky bee and
this is when the young teenage boy found himself
in trouble. His feet became tangled in twine,
balance compromised and a tumble of 25’ hayloft
ensued. This 14‐year old was left with his 5th and
6th vertebrae damaged beyond repair, changing his
life forever.
As a quadriplegic, Dellinger had to accept a
new role in a world that is not very giving or
comfortable with those slightly different. After
coping with shock and adjustment, the farm boy’s
rough and tough attitude began to emerge.
During the summer of his sophomore year, Bruce
became intrigued with the oil paintings of his Aunt
Becky. He needed an outlet for his new life and art
seemed a good way to begin.
Oils, pastels and finally charcoal were different
medias that Dellinger tried. Ken Schuler,
renowned pencil artist, began to influence Bruce to
the beauty and detail of everything living around
him. The desire for capturing natural scenes began
to emerge and the young man found himself
fascinated by this new outlook on life. Working
with Schuler and other artists, Bruce discovered a
joy that he thought was gone forever.
Artists such as Rosemary Millete, Terry Redlin
and Jerry Gadamus continue to inspire Dellinger
as he strives to deliver the essence of perfection in
outdoor themes and wildlife. Limited to a flat
surface with pencil in place, Bruce works in 15‐
minute intervals sometimes having to twist and
place the paper in different positions in order to
work on details, curves and figures. “King of the
Hill” was one such drawing where some of the
work was actually done upside down.
When admirers of Dellinger’s work see pieces
such as “The Old Anderson Place”, personal
memories emerge, taking them to a quiet, happier
time. This is the type of reaction that Bruce is
thrilled to see.
“I want to be able to give back to a caring
community while having a sense of solitude and See Whisper next page →
“King of the Hill”
Whisper pleasure,”says Dellinger.
“Artwork literally fell into my
lap and I’m glad it did.”
Bruce has a BS in Psychology
and a minor in Special
Education. He has given
lectures to area schools and
clubs but his real passion is
witnessing nature, capturing its
essence and putting to paper.
He donates prints each year to
different organizations and is a
member of various wildlife and
nature organizations.
His philosophy is simple and
to the point. “Keep on truckin’
and go as far as you can go.
Always be passionate in your
work and remember that your
greatest gift is giving to others.
I want others to be able to sense
the spirit of nature and really
watch how wildlife moves.
Evoking emotion and having
scenes jump off the page is my
ultimate goal.”
Visit Bruce Dellinger’s
website at
www.brucedellinger.com for
more information on ordering
prints or scheduling original
work. Dellinger resides with
his family and two cats in the
beautiful hills of Virginia where
he continues his goal to be the
best wildlife and nature artist
possible.
Dellinger has never used his
unusual method of painting as a
sensation but has let his work
stand on its own merit. The
refusal to be weak and
unyielding in his passion of
natural beauty is finally paying
off. Follow this emerging artist
closely as he begins to make
headlines.
arttoartpalettejournal.com © Bruce Dellinger 2011
“Patiently Waiting”
“New
Life in the Garden
” “O
ld Bow Stand”