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Kinship (2001)

Mixed Media on Board
74 x 92 x 7 inches

Marble Players (2011)

Oil on board
8 x 8 feet

Dennis Hare Artist Biography

Early Life and Creative Roots

Dennis Hare was born in 1946 in Glendale, California. He grew up in an artistically rich environment. His mother, Arline, was an interior designer, and his father, Fred, worked as a sportswriter and photographer. Creativity ran deep in his family—his grandfather Oliver Hare was an artist, musician, and photographer, while his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Harlan, was also a painter.

His childhood was shaped by extensive travel. The family often visited Mexico and Central America to create short documentary films, and a beach house in Mexico became a regular retreat. These early experiences informed Hare’s sense of color, light, and culture, which would later become hallmarks of his paintings.

From Sports to Studio

Although he showed early artistic potential, Hare initially pursued athletics. He was a standout in basketball, baseball, and especially beach volleyball. He grew up in Yucaipa, California, where his mother restored the historic “Adobe House,” and went on to study physical education at San Bernardino Valley College and San Diego State University.

Volleyball Achievements

Hare had a distinguished volleyball career before returning to art:

  • 1975: Won his first Volleyball World Championship
  • Multiple titles in beach volleyball and Senior Olympics tournaments
  • 2008: Inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Association Hall of Fame

His return to art was partly prompted by the need to illustrate a book he was writing on beach volleyball. This led him to rediscover his talent and passion for painting.

Artistic Journey

Hare began painting watercolors in 1979 and joined the National Watercolor Society. In 1987, he transitioned to oil painting, which became his signature medium. Oils allowed him to express dynamic textures, bold color fields, and expressive forms—perfectly suited to his energetic, figurative style.

His subjects often included children, beachgoers, neighbors, and strangers encountered in daily life. The beach remained a recurring theme, reflecting both his upbringing and lifelong connection to coastal culture.

Themes and Style

  • Figurative with a strong humanist tone
  • Expressive brushwork, vibrant color, and spontaneity
  • Frequent subjects include children, families, and social gatherings
  • Recurring coastal imagery and textures inspired by sand, light, and sea

Later in his career, Hare embraced mixed media and assemblage, incorporating found objects and textured materials. He was especially influenced by the 1992 Eva Hesse exhibition in New York. One of his key assemblage works, Couple (2007), featured oil paint combined with scraps of paper, pushing the boundaries between figure and form.

Artistic Influences and Philosophy

Based in California, Hare was influenced by the Bay Area Figurative Movement and exhibited alongside artists like:

His work is often described as socially interpretive, capturing the intimacy and connection between people. He rarely painted solitary figures; instead, his paintings often depict interaction, emotion, and shared human experience.

Exhibitions and Legacy

Hare exhibited widely throughout his career in both private and public venues.

Selected Exhibitions and Highlights

  • National Watercolor Society exhibitions
  • Numerous solo shows throughout California and the U.S.
  • International exhibitions and lectures in Europe and Mexico
  • Featured in museum collections and private collections worldwide
  • Donated works to charitable causes and community fundraisers

Later Years and Legacy

Until his passing in 2024, Hare remained active as both an artist and teacher. He conducted workshops internationally, focusing on artistic self-expression and maximizing creative potential. He lived in Mentone, California, in a bungalow filled with art and personal touches.

Dennis Hare leaves behind a legacy of color, movement, and empathy. A self-taught artist and late bloomer, his work reminds us that it’s never too late to follow one’s passion, and that great art comes from a life richly lived.

Dennis Hare Art Appraisals & Sales

As specialists in California figurative art, we regularly work with Dennis Hare paintings and understand their market value. Whether you’re looking to sell or simply want to know more about a piece you own, we offer confidential consultations. Learn more on our Sell Your Art page.