August art exhibition “Outgrowth”

“Outgrowth” is my new exhibition of art currently on display at Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House until September 2, 2017. Please join me for the reception on Sunday August 13, 3–5pm. I invite you to leave your comment on this blog, or write in the exhibition comment book at the show.

I decided in recent years that it’s a bad idea to have an art exhibition in the summer because it lures me to the solitude of my studio when I should be outside enjoying the weather. Well, somehow I convinced myself that I could finish the artwork for my current show in the spring, which didn’t happen exactly as planned. I’m not a procrastinator in the typical way, but I do tend to cram in as many “final touches” in the very last minutes before hanging an art exhibition. If someone had forced me to hang this show an hour earlier, there would have been one less artwork!

This series of art is completely different from anything else I’ve done. It has been an indulgence for me to immerse myself in trees, examining rugged ridges in minute detail. With this show, “Outgrowth”, I am inviting you to explore every bark fold, crack, burl and crevice in the stark contrast of black ink. A close inspection uncovers my sincere and earnest reverence to the smallest features that reveal a tree’s individuality and history that may span several lifetimes. Step back, and the tiny ink lines soften and blend to form a naturalistic depiction.

The trees I studied for these pieces are all real and live near Lake Ontario’s shore in Oakville.

Bending Spoons Gallery @

Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House

3010 Dundas St W, Toronto

Show Runs until September 2, 2017

Headless snowmen greeting card by Dan Holst Soelberg

Hamilton Comic Con, here I come

Hamilton Comic Con is tomorrow from 10am to 6pm, and I have a table on the third floor. Aside from a nasty cold that has decided to occupy every sinus cavity to the limit, I’m excited and raring to meet Hamilton full-on. I sold out of a bunch of stuff at Fan Expo a month ago, so there was a lot of re-stocking to do.

Headless snowmen Christmas card by Dan Holst Soelberg

The front of my headless snowmen Christmas card

Inside Christmas card by Dan Holst Soelberg

Open the card to reveal a festive message!

The most popular item at Fan Expo was a Christmas greeting card. So, it’s back at $4 a piece, or two for $6. By request, I’m also offering the card in boxed sets of 10 for $25. I managed to find a handsome little white box for the cards that I could stamp my logo onto. If you can’t make it to Hamilton tomorrow, Christmas greeting cards will be made available on my online shop next week.

2015 calendars are back! The calendar features drawings from my book Dwellers of Lurching Swill and includes all Canadian holidays.

For complete information on the convention, click here. See you tomorrow Hamilton!

Welcome to my Hallowe’en Studio

You are about to open the creaky door to the Dan Holst Soelberg wing of the 6th annual Online Hallowe’en Artists’ Studio Trick or Treat. Artwork is available for sale from October 1 to October 31, 2014.

Step inside a spidery wonderland of fears, idiosyncrasies and strange dispositions. From my book Dwellers of Lurching Swill (available now in my online shop), every original artwork is hand-rendered in archival ink on a 32cm x 32cm illustration board, ready for framing. If you hate deciding on a frame, these drawings just happen to fit an off-the-shelf frame that conveniently comes with a pre-cut mat (click here to view it now).

20% of your purchase price will be donated to RedRover, an organization that brings animals out of crisis situations and gives them the care they so desperately need. You will be providing funds to help passionate volunteers give loving care to animals who need it the most, and foster the positive bond between people and animals. The work they do is inspiring and so beautifully selfless. As their website states, “When you support and volunteer with RedRover, you become part of a very positive, inspirational story of change.” You can learn more about RedRover by clicking this link to their website.

Without further ado, please peruse my collection of original artwork, available exclusively through this Hallowe’en Studio Tour. To make a purchase, contact the artist for details at dhsoelberg@gmail.com