TAC Member Highlight: Dean Wyatt

Photo by Greg Bollinger

From an early age, Oklahoma-born Dean Wyatt was drawn to the page—literally. Growing up in a small town in southwestern Oklahoma, he spent is childhood sketching superheroes and sports scenes, later becoming obsessed with detailed pen-and-ink stipple portraits during his teen years. After college, however, his focus shifted toward abstract painting, marking the start of an artistic transformation.

Abstract work didn’t come easily at first. Color and form were intimidating, and it took years of experimentation with various techniques before Wyatt began to develop a unique voice. Today, his style falls under the umbrella of Abstract Expressionism. “Most of the works deal with some sort of transition, whether day to night, moving toward (or away from) something, or changes over time,” Wyatt explains. 

The Oklahoma landscape continues to influence his work, especially the vast skies and dramatic sunsets that filled his upbringing. “I grew up in a small town in southwestern Oklahoma where you have big skies, rolling plains, and amazing sunsets,” Wyatt shares. “I love a good sunset - there’s something captivating about that transition, the colors – I try to memorize every moment.” These moments of natural transition deeply inform the palette and energy of his paintings.

His creative process is intuitive. Most pieces begin with a vague idea, but evolve as the artist responds to what unfolds on the canvas. “The image in my head is never quite in focus, but it gives me an idea of how to start,” says Wyatt. Experimentation is central—not just for technique, but for keeping the process fresh and challenging.

Balancing a professional career, family life, and volunteer commitments means inspiration often comes not from waiting, but from simply showing up in the studio. Observing the everyday—an oil stain, a record cover, a shadow—can spark new directions.

Wyatt credits much of his growth to active involvement in the local arts community. Opportunities through organizations like TAC and OVAC, as well as simply showing up to events and volunteering, have led to exhibitions, gallery representation, and lasting connections.

After taking a year off from submissions to focus on new work, he’s preparing to re-enter the exhibition circuit in 2026. Currently, he’s working on a large-scale triptych slated for installation in a downtown hotel this fall—an exciting project that signals a new chapter in his evolving practice.

“We are in a constant state of transition throughout our lives, and I find that interesting and beautiful.”

Find Dean online:

www.deanwyatt.com

Facebook: @dean.wyatt

Instagram: @deanwyattartist