Dennis Lukas (b. 1947 – d. 2003)
Formally known as Dennis Brian Lukaszczyk
Dennis Lukas, who was born and raised in Grimsby, recognized his calling as an artist early in life. As a teenager he initiated a friendship with A. Y. Jackson that continued for the remainder of Jackson's life. Lukas also studied with Arthur Lismer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, and was acquainted with Lawren Harris. Lukas's paintings show his familiarity with the works of the Group; in his personal reinterpretation of the landscape tradition created by these icons of Canadian art Lukas painted the equally iconic silhouette of a mountain form in a myriad of different contexts and colors. In other paintings his connection with the Group can be seen in the inspiration he draws from direct experience of the land.
Aug 31st 1963
Dear Dennis Lukas
Sorry I have taken so long to answer your letter of April 8th. I was away at that time and a lot of mail was piled up when I returned.
You are still young enough to go on with your academic studies and then go to a good art school. Keep a small writing pad in your pocket and make quick studies of all kinds of things. People animal’s, buildings boats trees clouds etc. When you find a good subject try to make a painting of it about 16 by 20 inches.
If you go to an art school, don’t imagine at the end of three years you will be an artist. They can teach you to draw and to use good technique in painting, but it is up to you to decide what you want to do. You will be influenced by certain artists. Make sure they are important ones. Not merely successful ones. Read books on art and artists, such as Constable, Corot, Van Gogh, Daumier, Courbet and others.
Don’t start in to paint abstracts, until you can paint with a good deal of assurance from nature. Don’t be discouraged if your work is chucked from an exhibition. Cezanne was chucked from the Paris Salon for twenty years running.
This will do for now.
I wish you every success
Sincerely
A.Y. Jackson ii
Following his passing in 2003, his works were displayed in Grimsby Ontario.
Inspired by Icons
The ten Canadian artists known as the Group of Seven have influenced the artists of several generations. Among them is Dennis Lukas, born in Hamilton, and raised in Grimsby, who was fortunate enough to have counted among his friends and mentors A.Y.Jackson, Arthur Lismer and Lawren Harris. In return, as well as developing into a complex artist in his own right, Lukas became mentor, inspiration and something of an icon to numerous other artists, especially in the Niagara region, before his sudden death, at the age of 56, in June of 2003.
Even as a child, Dennis Lukas was an unusually determined individual. His sister recalls the precocious ease with which he moved in the adult world, and the belief in himself that gave him the confidence to go directly to the source when he need-ed information or advice i. Lukas recognized his vocation as an artist while in his early teens and, typically, wrote to one of the acknowledged leaders of the Canadian art scene, A.Y. Jackson in April of 1963, looking for guidance and support. Jackson’s response, transcribed below, contained advice that any aspiring artist would do well to consider: