Feb. Spotlight- Dan Parlane

Art started as early as I can remember. My dad would make cartoons of planes for me to color from a high chair. My grandfather was an illustrator for the Toronto Star Weekly and Popular Science magazine during and after the second world war. Both loved painting from life and have inspired me.

I arrived in Idaho 20 years ago to work for Dr. Forrest Bird to take care of his collection of antique aircraft and rotorcraft. I currently work as an aerospace drafter and illustrator for an aircraft company based in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Sometimes plein air is a time of intense focus, some exercise, or maybe processing of events that weigh on the heart. There's the discovery and wonder in ordinary places I never would have appreciated otherwise...and what a treat it has been to have folks in PAPI inspire me to persevere with ice crystals or at night. Things I never would have tried had I not joined the group!