Dick Ensing

Dick Ensing is the owner of the Dutchman's Loft studio, located 1 1/2 miles from Dollywood in Tennessee. He paints in the traditional style of the French impressionists, with Cades Cove and the surrounding countryside as his inspiration. As the 5th generation grandson of the legendary Dutch painter Adrian VanDer Werf (1659-1722), Dick truly values his heritage. Adrian VanDer Werf was the most famous painter of his day, and achieved a high level of academic perfection in all his work. He even surpassed Rembrandt, who died when Adrian was 10 years old. Dick Ensing has studied art with Robert Brackman, William Schultz, Herb Abrams and portraiture with Illona Ross Smithkin. He has taught art at the Arrowmont School of Art and Walters State College, in addition to teaching workshops at many colleges and art leagues. Presently Dick does workshops for Jerry's Artarama, Cheap Joe's Art Supplies and for the Dutchman's Loft. Along with Dick's other accomplishments, he has a degree in engineering and plays jazz as a hobby. Dick, his wife Pat and son Curt have adopted the Great Smoky Mountains as their home. Quotations / Artist Statements: "Landscape painting in the Great Smoky Mountains is a real experience, because the light in the mountains is filtered by the atmosphere, causing the colors to have a prismatic effect. This creates a mood that captivates the feeling and beauty of God's awesome power." - Dick Ensing