Picture
Dale L. Popovich IWS, an award-winning watercolorist and teacher, is renowned for his ability to capture the essence of the American landscape with the fluid stroke of a brush. More than 49 years ago, Dale lost 80% of his vision. He learned to rely on his mind's eye to sustain himself. He underwent a nine-hour major brain surgery to remove a cyst on his optic nerve. Afterwards, he had to relearn how to walk, climb stairs, and write again. Despite the challenges, Dale persevered, and with his vision finally restored, he discovered that he could see more clearly than before efficiently filtering out the visual “noise” around him to focus on a subject’s essentials. Dale's paintings began to reflect a certain purity of perception, and this "way of seeing" became the hallmark of his work.  Spending his childhood summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Dale learned to love its colors, textures, denizens, and moods – and developed his holistic approach to watercolor. Today, his paintings celebrate these American landscapes and man’s humble efforts to tame them.
Dale received his training at The American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he was deeply inspired by past Director and President Irving Shapiro AWS, a great American twentieth-century watercolorist. Dale later taught at the same academy for 22 years, passing on his knowledge and passion to aspiring artists. 

​Dale is currently an esteemed faculty member at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, an institution of great renown established in 1895. As the second oldest artist organization in the United States, the P & C has a longstanding tradition of excellence. Dale’s instructional services include weekly virtual studio classes via Zoom platform, as well as workshops and demonstrations across America. 
“You must begin with a concept, not just content or subject matter of a painting before your brush touches the paper. You must determine not only what story you want to tell, but how, why and with what visual qualities.”
​
– Irving Shapiro, AWS (1927-1994) The American Academy of Art Chicago
​Past Director and President​
He and his wife, Marilee, have also launched an online art school called ToweringWindsAcademyOfFineArts.teachable.com., which aims to share Dale's knowledge and passion with a broader audience. One of his passions is to Teach People to Truly See TM.   Dale's professional teaching career began in 1978, and he has since trained over 4500 students, many of whom have gone on to become accomplished artists.   Dale is a member of several organizations, including:
  • The Illinois Watercolor Society (signature member)
  • The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, IL
  • Indiana Heritage Arts in Nashville, IN
  •  Watercolor Society of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN
  • Plein Air Painters Chicago, IL. ​
Picture
​Dale, together with his wife Marilee and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Miss Poppy, reside in a charming log cabin situated in the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin. Dale is an accomplished artist and educator whose works have been widely featured in several collections across the nation. His exceptional artistic skills, coupled with his extensive teaching experience, have earned him a reputation as an expert in the field.​

​His paintings and giclée prints can be seen and purchased at his online store.
To review full Curriculum Vitae CLICK HERE