Dino D'Taos, The Anonymous Monk, is a dear friend of mine. I met him when I was 19 years old. He was an artist who would sit in the window of Cafe Quebec, sipping coffee and painting. He is a listed disciple of Salvador Dali and a surrealist himself.
I was doing some painting and selling angel art in a gallery downtown while attending the University of Arizona. The cafe Dino painted at was next door to the Angel Gallery, we became friends and had many adventures together. He even painted me into some of his works…that is not me in that painting below 😉
A few years later Dino moved…I knew he might be going to Taos, New Mexico. We lost touch. 8 years later I took a trip to Taos, New Mexico. I searched high and low, not knowing what I would find, or how Dino would be when I found him. And yes, after much searching I found Dino, in Taos. He was doing well, but had it rough when he first arrived to New Mexico. We had a great time and I even made several art purchases. One purchase was so large that I would have to travel back for it by car one year later…Just that quickly, Dino was in my life again…And, I would add one of his most magnificent pieces to my growing collection of his work. (below)
It is a huge piece, 6ft x 4 1/2. It was a grueling 12 hour trip (one way) to retrieve this painting. But, being there, gave Dino and I a wonderful chance to spend time together and get reacquainted. I was an adult now, and life had changed very much for both of us.
We had great coversations. Mr. Lovee was with me and the three of us did very interesting things. One in particular – The hotel where we stay "La Fonda" in Taos, is home to some of D. H. Lawrence's original works. We got a private up close sneak peek at those pieces! Amazing. To be face to face with the paint on the canvas, the texture. We had intense conversations, Dino is as close to the absolute definition of an artist as exists. His personality, his reclusiveness and his profoundness.
Several months after we had visited had passed. Dino does not use a phone. Everything is through snail-mail correspondence. We corresponded a few times since that visit, and then, the strangest thing…I received a disturbing phone call, something was wrong. Dino was not safe. We had a few calming conversations. But, then, Dino called a few days later. He was in Wilcox Arizona. His car was dead. He would be taking a bus the rest of the way to Tucson. What? Confusion. Dismay. Dino was coming here? That was totally not possible. He does not venture out. He does not go anywhere, something must be really wrong.
Sure enough, it was. Dino had been attacked in Taos by some drug guys living by him. They were harrassing him and the cops could do nothing. He left all his belongings and left Taos. I had suggested a long time ago that he consider moving closer to us, and not be alone in Taos in the middle of nowhere…His path took a huge twist. He was being forced into it. The whole thing was stressful, shocking and overwhelming. But today, Dino is safe and all his 40 years of books he wrote and archives are safe, at a friends house in Taos, the paintings, at a gallery in Taos.
As for today, Dino has been living in housing I found him in Catalina, 3 minutes from the studio, at a wonderful place that a dear friend of mine owns. He is safe and very very well. He has been living here for about 56 days. He is creating mad, just painting and drawing and flourishing. I really believe he was meant to be here and the only way for him to make the move was to be forced into it.
He is officially my thrift store adventure buddy. We go everywhere…We did a little show together and he puts up with my endless dragging home of strange finds….He sits and draws while I schlep him around town…He started the first sketches for a painting he is gifting me while sitting at a table at my house while I checked piles of mail before a trip back to the Studio.
He is a love, and I am sharing him with you because his amazing self and amazing work deserves to be seen. He is a treasure trove of a little man, so when you hear me talk about Dino, you now know who I am speaking of.
Today for instance, he helped me take apart a huge vinatge fan that the pottery studio, where I create pottery things at the Tucson Museum of Art, was throwing out. It would not fit in my SUV in its 7 foot stature, so, after trying for 1 hour and a half we took it apart. Guess what? They don't make fans like they used to. It weighs as much as two little children. Ha, almost the size of me and Dino, two 5' 2" little old children.
We tried to be cute before we left. It didn't really work. I made him carry around this bowl I made and then take a photograph in front of this amazing art horse. The things I put him through…
I was thinking of putting Dino's work on Etsy?? I don't know. It is so good to have him here and to know he is in a safe warm home.
What a wonderfully sweet thing to write about someone. You should make a pie and then you can both eat it and be happy!
Wow – what a story. It’s funny how people come in and out (and often back in) to our lives and make such an impact.
I think Dino’s stuff is too amazing to sell on Etsy. Not that Etsy isn’t a good venue, it’s a great venue, but Dino’s stuff is worth thousands of dollars and I have never seen anything for that amount on Etsy.
An amazing story about friendship, and about alot more. Thanks for sharing.
i wrote you about dino, but i just wanna say again how wonderful he seems! i am trying to think of another avenue for selling dino’s work. does he have gallery representation? maybe etsy would be good if he has any smaller works or objects he’s painted? things that wouldn’t cost as much? hmmm…
What a beautiful story. I think it’s wonderful that the two of you have found each other again. I agree that etsy may be the wrong market. I know I’ve come across online art groups or galleries before, but haven’t bookmarked them 🙁 But something like that would be better for the price range his work deserves.
This is a charming, touching story. I am not sure if you would call Dino a mentor of sorts, or more of just a friend, but I have a similar experience with a quirky old man who has an immense, high-ceilinged library, with ladders and a rickety balcony to reach the top books… the walls are all shelves… he is a well-known historian, and took me under his wing some time ago. I was too young, and he too much older, to form this sort of companionship you have with Dino, but he was a mentor nonetheless. This story took me back there.
On another note, thanks for the enlightening comment on my last entry — what a good idea. I’d -love- to chat more about it and hear more ideas.
Such wondrous art,such beautiful adventures! I had a mentor too. Charles Proctor ,an old Broadway star,who was named on the same “ones to watch” list as Audrey Hepburn. My dear teacher is gone now. I always think about him right before I step on stage. Thats right,he still helps me tell a story to an audience.
That story is beautiful…is it possible to be so enraptured by someone…I know it is but it is beautiful every time you hear it.
Dino is amazing…truly, I see the Dali influence so much, yet it is still completely his own.
Have you been to the Dali museum in St Petersburg FLA?
It is worth the trip to go and soak it in.
Also, I will admit I am painfully jealous that you saw D.H. Lawrence original work up close, I think I would have openly wept.
Amazing! You sound like the sweetest person with the biggest heart. I love this story so much. Dino’s work is fantastic! How wonderful that you have each other to inspire and support. Thanks for sharing this great story of friendship.
Hi Ness, Dino’s art looks great! Why not set a precident on etsy and sell high priced high collectable art. My friends father is a famous artist in Aus called Ken Done and some of his smaller original work comes up in the secondary market on ebay for around £5000 $10,000. So if the people are out there they will come to etsy. It doesn’t cost much to list so what have you got to lose.
Go Girl – Michelle
wonderful story!!! You are truly blessed indeed to have such an amazing friend and mentor. His painting are beautiful!!!!
kindred spirits, and the beauty of friendship!!
What a beautiful post Vanessa!! such a wonderful tribute to a talented friend. What an ordeal but so glad to hear he is happy safe and
creating art again! Sounds like lots of fun and
adventure!!
I too met Dino at the age of 19 while he was doing art shows in AZ. I was doing them too and would eventually live in Payson, AZ with him. This was 24 years ago. I went looking for him in Taos the summer before last, just to see how he was. I was unable to locate him. I am sitting in Santa Fe right now and think of him. I looked him up and found you. Thank you for taking care of this treasure of a man. Just yesterday I was sitting in my home in Chino Valley, AZ looking through a Dali book Dino gave me years ago in anticipation of my trip here. I am not here looking for Dino this time, but found him on the computer through you. I do not even know if Dino would even remember me…I would hope that he would. We had some good times and great memories as he was a teacher of sorts to me about art and life. If you would pass on my good feelings and well wishes to him, I would appreciate it greatly. I would like to communicate with Dino if at all possible. I am just glad to know he is well and in good hands. Thank you for being there for him…Doreen
Dino is alive and well in St Petersburg, FL. Remarkably not far from the Salivdor Dali Museum. I meet him tonight at ArtPool, http://www.artpoolrules.com. He sits outside and paints. He also frequents the coffee house nearby. His work is remarkable. The detail of his pencil drawings are amazing! I bought a copy of one of his works for three dollars and paid him five.
I walked into ArtPool tonight because there is a show/event/party tomorrow evening. I have work there and wanted to see how it looked. Inside was Marina’s mom, Becky who introduced me to Dino. He had just washed his hands and was drying them.
I showed him my work and gave him my Bio and Artist statement that I was dropping off for the show. He sat and read this softly to those who noticed. There is so much more to say but I reserve that for another post…its dinner time. And yes, becky did ask Dino if he had money for dinner.
Tomorrow night, Dino will be outside painting during the show. If you want to pass a message to him, email me at info@5thworldart.com
Rob
I recently had the honor and privilege of displaying a D’Taos original at a local gallery here in Arkansas. It created quite a buzz. We traveled together for a season, then again for another shorter time. All I have now are blessed memories. And some photographs, a few originals, pencil drawings, a video, some prints, …
Dino, if you read this, I love you!
friend and colleague Dino dTaos one of the greatest masters light and perception I have ever encpountered in this passing of life. I was blessed to share a meal and some gallery space with him in Taos and studied under him for several years. Now many years and many paintings later is often think of you Dino in my daily life as a friend and most cherished aquaintance I have ever encountered. With much respect and gratitude to you I send my best wishes to you and may you be blessed with the best forever. mary fox taos 2001 Dino if you read this I love you too!
I am so glad I found these notes on my dear friend Dino. He is soon to have Gallary and use of a Studio. Check out his new Facebook page. Look for him at Cakewalk, Central Avenue, Saint Petersburg, FL.
hello
i was cleaning up some old stuff and i came across a painting on a piece of wood. the painting is signed Dtaos and on the back it says “tour d force”. i dont know if is orignal but if you can help i would like to find out. my email is lavard1@verizon.net
thanks
jim
Hello – i inherited a painting of Dino’s when a friend passed away. I believe she and Dino were friends many long years ago. How can i get in touch with him to let him know. thanks
I bought a sailboat, the sandpiper. It has a painting in it from him. It has an inscription on the back to captain steve. I was wondering if he did this and how if possible I could get hold of Captain Steve. Thanks.
I am here because I bought a painting in Fort Plain NY tonight, by D’Taos / Saga
, the ship Idus Cygnus but looks like something unusual happened to it, don’t know whether to ask the lady in the bathtub, or the approaching cynet???
Hi there! I was a neighbor to dino in Payson az in i believe in 1981. We lived a couple doors down from him on cherry st.My son loved his art work , so much so dino gave my son one of his paintings. He painted it on a piece of wood.It was a scene in space with a spaceship and a couple of planets or moons. Its about 18×24 ins. We still have it after 34 years! I always wondered what became of dino! Do you have any update on him as of today? Please contact me, i would really like to know. Thank you
Hello and good morning, I dont know if you are still on this website or not,but I would very much like to know if you are still in contact with Dino. My wifes father was friends with him him here in Arizona, sadly my wifes father passed away last year from suicide. We found a painting that Dino gave him on wood slats almost like a complete wood frame type thing, very beautiful along with a pic of Dino giving it to my wifes father. He also has some of Dinos pencil or pen drawings to. we are trying to figure what the value of some of these items could be for insurance purposes, I know Dino is a well known artist and a very good one by the looks of it i cant stop looking at his art work, AMAZING!!! well thank you so much for your time and cant wait to hear back from you.
Thank you for keeping this page up. I met Dino back when I worked at Cafe Quebec in the late 80s. We used to sit together and he would paint and I would draw. We actually spent quite a bit of time together. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like.