Artist thrust into spotlight by K-Pop group

By Max Black

In 2018, at the young age of 65, local artist Marc Dominus changed his destiny. With the power of pallet knives and paint, Dominus took his passion for abstract painting and made it into his full-time profession. In September of the same year, Dominus found himself face-to-face with global superstar V of BTS — the biggest Korean musical group in the world — and sold him two of his paintings. 

After being thrust into the online world of BTS super fans (ARMYs), Dominus navigated the world of international attention and worked to make a name for himself, thanks to his new-found audience.

On his 66th birthday, June 1, 2019, Dominus committed to painting every day for one year. Since then, he has shown his creativity through art for 1,460 days straight. Initially, the challenge was a personal journey of discovery, as Dominus wanted to know if he had the discipline and capacity to create every day. 

In this experience, he has produced approximately three paintings a month, all at least 6-feet long. Dominus’ life revolves around painting, with him spending roughly five hours a day at his craft.

Dominus said: “A painting is only complete when my thirst for adventure coalesces into a cohesive reflection on the road traveled. My paintings, therefore, document the energy and feelings generated through the process, a diary-like record of my spiritual self which, I hope, resonates with the viewer.” 

Dominus believes the joy of finding his paintings a home exceeds all the hardships of his craft, like having to clean all his brushes. There is so much art in the world, when a person connects with his art, it is an honor for Dominus to be a part of that connection. 

In the connection between the buyer and the painting, Dominus reflects on how he created this painting, how it found the person buying his work, and what it took to get there. Dominus said: “I am very fond of the painting process itself. It relaxes me and places me in another dimension. I am finding that the more I paint, the more I have a sense of control of what ends up on the canvas. This in turn gives me an opportunity to be even more creative and experimental. It is exciting to experience the growth and evolution of my art.”

To celebrate his four years of painting, Dominus is showing his journey of art every day at his new exhibition, “Too Young to Stop,” opening at Ellison Valencia Gallery on May 28 from 6-9 p.m. The gallery is located at 408 N. Bishop Ave. #103 in Dallas.