Featured Mohawk Valley Artist: Daniel Marrone

Every now and then you’ll turn a corner in your local town and find a spot where Mohawk Valley artists have left their mark. Maybe you’ll come across a wonderfully decorated sign, a mural, painted windows or sculpture. If you’re like most people, you’ll smile and appreciate the work. If you’re a Mohawk Valley artist, you may be remembering the experience with fellow artists.

This week, we’re happy to introduce Dan Marrone as our Featured Mohawk Valley artist!

About Daniel Marrone

Daniel M. Marrone was born in Herkimer in 1978 growing up in the NYS forest preserve that includes both Catskill and Adirondack parks. Dan developed an interest in art after meeting many artists in Saranac Lake, NY, in the late 90’s. After this Dan began developing non-objective, improvisational drawing techniques along with a group of friends. In 2003, Dan finished a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts under professors James Allen and Dennis Barraclough.  

Dan’s long-term artistic endeavors include a large-scale concept art piece that incorporates photography while climbing the 46 Adirondack high peaks. He says, “This project ended up as my first published novel.”

As the supervisor of the Saranac Lake Islands campground, Dan also worked for NYSDEC on the lake for 21 years. He completed his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University graduating in 2019. Dan finished his student teaching a matter of weeks before covid hit and is now a high school art teacher. “I found it surreal to move back to the very same street that I was born on.”

Dan operates a studio in his home in Herkimer and has been working on the same series of non-objective work for almost 8 years. “I am not quite finished yet but I am very close. I hope to show this work locally in the near future. More to come soon.”

The Art Thing Collaborative Team

“Dan is a true community artist. When we approached him about the mural he kindly opened up his house to us for a brainstorming spot to collaborate with the TAT team and lead artist Justin Como on the design for the mural. He reached out to his teachers and taught TAT a thing or two about taking the Stone Soup mural on. He’s a truly brilliant artist with a keen and methodical process, and we’re so grateful he was able to assist and encourage us on this project!”- The Art Thing Collaborative Team

Many thanks to Dan for sharing his art and creative journey with Mohawk Valley Today!