My own creative process of drawing, printing and sustainable art practice allow me to be deeply immersed in repetitive actions as a type of meditation—an intense way of thinking through problems. I invite students to develop their own unique process, mark making or visual voice and then draw out that intuitive knowing for longer periods of time. My courses connect meaningfully with science and enjoy designing art courses in collaboration with teachers on various topics. We can make natural inks, use upcycled materials, design ecological restoration projects and explore the transformation of materials from ordinary to extraordinary along with our students. I am an expert at various forms of Printmaking and teach courses in printmaking to students of all ages.
Drawing and Printmaking are a primary focus for Denise’s art and community service work. In 2014, Denise was an artist in residence in Paradsinga, India through GRAM International Artist Residency in Community Service. Her work has been featured in Portland Museum of Art, Art in the Open in Philadelphia, Printmaking Center of New Jersey, Honolulu Museum of Art and the University of Fine Arts Hanoi. Denise had the unique opportunity to be the first American exchange student to represent her country while studying at the Hanoi Fine Arts University, in Hanoi, Vietnam after the countries reopened diplomatic relations in 1995 through the Indochina Arts Partnership. Denise currently has work hanging at the Hawaii State Capitol and serves as the Executive Director of the Honolulu Printmakers in Oahu.
The Artistic Teaching Partners (ATP) Roster is an adjudicated directory of Hawai‘i professional teaching artists qualified to conduct in-depth residencies in educational settings. Each artist or arts organization has a page in the directory with contact information, a short bio, and an artist statement. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts draws from this roster for arts education programs including Art Bento at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum and Artists in the Schools.
