“I was good at art when I was a little kid, but didn’t have any real interest in it until I was in high school,” said Memphis-based artist Danny Broadway. “My art teacher encouraged me to continue, and the more I got into it, the more I liked it.”
Broadway’s enjoyment of the creative process is apparent the instant you look at one of his works. Vivid, lively and expressive—even when portraying darker subject matter—Broadway’s paintings leap off the canvas with life and color. The people, places and moments he captures are rooted in the landscape of the American South in general, and particularly the city of Memphis.
A unique Memphis artist
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Broadway grew up commuting back and forth to Memphis, the city he now calls home. Broadway graduated from high school in North Little Rock and credits his high school art teacher, Miss Poole, with encouraging him to develop his artistic talents. With high school in the rearview mirror, he moved to the Bluff City and earned a degree in fine arts from University of Memphis.
Although Danny’s art has been displayed all over the country, his earliest exhibitions were held at a gallery on Memphis’ famous Beale Street, where his vivid paintings brought together the street’s rich history and musical heritage. After graduating from U of M, Danny taught high school art classes while working to establish himself as an artist, and continues to share his love of art with local high school students even now that his career has taken off.
Via @DBroadwayStudio on Twitter
Finding inspiration
Broadway’s art draws upon the past as well as the present. Whether he’s depicting urban scenes or rural landscapes, people are consistently the centerpiece of his work—and one gets the impression that he knows his subjects well, using vivid colors and subtle brush strokes to reflect their inner lives.
When it comes to capturing the essence of his creations, he says it best himself: “I’m inspired by historical themes, family stories, current issues, people, music, sounds, moods, books I read—pretty much everything.”
Original art and limited-edition prints are available through Broadway’s website, and his works are frequently on display in Memphis and the surrounding areas—notably at Broadway Studios, his own studio, gallery and event space at 5179 Wheelis Avenue in Memphis. Be the first to know about the latest from this unique Memphis artist by keeping up with Danny Broadway on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Connecting Memphis
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