ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Dean Habegger's Fresh Approach to Organic Materials Creates a Unique Look for his Highly Original Artwork Featuring Edibles

If Dean weren't an artist, he just might be a sous chef in some upscale restaurant with all he's learned about utilizing fresh foods in his artwork. Scroll down to view more designs...

From kitchen treats prepped into art studio medium, nothing natural goes to waste with Dean's artistry of collage and assemblage. His kaleidoscopic designs are mesmerizing, and with the knowledge that the medium is all natural, the complexity of his work is all the more breathtaking. Dean sees the intricate beauty in leaves, stems, and seeds as well as slices of oranges, lemons or apple peelings. Not only is he highly creative, he's also very resourceful! His inspiration to use natural materials for their innate color and intrinsic design grew originally from using plastic fruits in his 3D artwork.

He has since become a master of slicing, dicing, pulp removing, and drying. He describes this laborious preparation process as meditative. His biggest enemy in all this is mold which he monitors closely to eradicate.

Using a substrate of plywood, cradle wood, canvas or found pieces, he creates his designs and goes through various steps to bond the materials and finish with a matte or gloss product that enhances color and improves longevity.

His comprehensive educational background includes a B.S. in art education and a BFA in painting. He then attended the School of the Art Institute in Chicago on a full graduate merit scholarship earning an MFA in painting and drawing.

Dean says, "Through the processes and materials I use, I hope that my work will create a spark of recognition and/or positive aesthetic and thought-provoking experience for the viewer."

Dean works in a variety of sizes from as small as 4"x4" and 6"x6" upwards to 16" x 20"or larger. Prices start at $150 and go up depending on complexity and size. You can find more information at deanhabegger.com; 224-284-3299; dbhabegger@gmail.com; and Lemon Street Gallery, 4601 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, WI where he is a regular exhibitor.