Work samples

  • The Three Graces
    The Three Graces

    Ceramic with Stained Patina

    8"x9"

    2024

  • Brain Drain
    Brain Drain

    Clay, Paper clay, Wire, Iphone, Wire connectors

    14"x 9"x 10"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Figures in Motion
    Figures in Motion

    Clay and Stain

    5 1/2"x 9 1/2"x 9 1/2"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Venus, Buddha, and a Porpoise in a Tutu
    Venus, Buddha, and a Porpoise in a Tutu

    Oil paint on Linen

    16" x 20"

    2011

    Available for Purchase

About Daniel

Born in Washington D.C. in 1950, Dan Shapiro has been a lifelong artist. He attended Montgomery College as a Fine Arts Major, Maryland Institute College of Art majoring in Drawing, and Graduated from Towson University with a Batcheler’s Degree in Art Education.

Dan is a retired Art Teacher, having taught Foundation classes, Ceramics classes and Advanced Drawing to high School students. He is always exploring and working in a variety of media including majolica pottery, painting, and… more

Metopes

My most recent work is the beginning of a series of Metopes depicting moments in history, real and mythological heroines, and dancers.

I was inspired by Donatello's relief carving of dancing Putti on the Cantoria that was created for the Doumo in Florence.

My first piece is a joyous couple at The Disco.  I then went on to more complicated work depicting the Three Graces.  I am currently working on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

My future plans include:  Joan of Arc, Judith and Holofernes, Liberty Leading the People,, Fred and Ginger, The Waltz, The Tango, and The Twist.

  • The Three Graces
    The Three Graces

    Ceramic with stained patina

    8"x9"

    2024

     

  • Dancing at the Disco
    Dancing at the Disco

    Ceramic, Glazed

    6 1/2"x 7"

    2023

    Available for Purchase

Still Life Paintings

When my mother passed away, I inherited all of her chatchkes, they were a part of my world since I was born. I have been working on these still life paintings as a tribute to my mom.

I have added my own objects and have placed them in narrative situations I believe my mother would appreciate.

Not only are still life paintings challenging, you can return to the painting while working on other projects.

  • Mom and Marcel
    Mom and Marcel

    Oil paint on linen

    16" x 20"

    2009

    Available for Purchase
  • Venus, Buddha, and a Porpoise in a Tutu
    Venus, Buddha, and a Porpoise in a Tutu

    Oil paint on linen

    16" x 20"

    2011

    Available for Purchase
  • The Tortoise and the Hare
    The Tortoise and the Hare

    Oil paint on linen

    20" x 18"

    2013-19

    Available for Purchase
  • Prince Albert and Friends
    Prince Albert and Friends

    Oil paint on linen

    21" x 17"

    Available for Purchase
  • My Grandfathers Torch
    My Grandfathers Torch

    Oil paint on linen

    18" x 14"

    Available for Purchase
  • Hippotyzed
    Hippotyzed

    Oil paint on linen

    21" x 19"

    2014-15

    Available for Purchase
  • Fools Gold Under the Sun
    Fools Gold Under the Sun

    Oil paint on linen

    18" x 13 1/2"

    2010

    Available for Purchase
  • Aphrodite and the Cubs
    Aphrodite and the Cubs

    Oil paint on linen

    18" x 14"

    2022

    Available for Purchase
  • Past, Present and Future
    Past, Present and Future

    Oil paint on linen

    24" x 18"

    2023

    Available for Purchase
  • Teapot with an Animated Pinchpot
    Teapot with an Animated Pinchpot

    Oil paint on linen

    18" x 12"

    2024

    Available for Purchase

Sculpture

For years I was a functional potter, when I taught high school ceramics, I frequently included sculpture in my lessons.  When I retired from teaching, I started to approach sculpture more seriously.  This project is a reflection of my work in this new found discipline.

  • Brain Drain
    Brain Drain

    Clay, paper clay, wire, Iphone, wire connectors

    14"x 9" x 10"

    Available for Purchase
  • Constructivist Head
    Constructivist Head

    Ceramic

    8 1/2"x 5 1/2"x 5"

    2018

  • Tottering Discs
    Tottering Discs

    Carved plaster and vermiculite 

    10 1/4"x 4" x4"

    2025

    Available for Purchase
  • Crank Shaft
    Crank Shaft

    Carved plaster and vermiculite

    5 1/2" x 4 1/4" x 6"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Odysseus
    Odysseus

    Cast Bondo with patina

    13" x 6" x 7"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Crouched Figure
    Crouched Figure

    Carved plaster and vermiculite

    4 1/2" x 5" x 4"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Sisyphus
    Sisyphus

    Ceramic with stain and underglaze

    9" x 4 1/2" x 6"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Industrial Rose Vase
    Industrial Rose Vase

    Ceramic

    6 1/2"x 5" x 4"

    2017

  • Self Portrait
    Self Portrait

    Ceramic

    6 1/2" x 6" x 4"

    2016

  • Smiling Teacher Example
    Smiling Teacher Example

    Sculpted ceramic pinch pot

    5" x 5 1/2" x 4 1/2"

    2016

    Available for Purchase

Landscape Paintings

I strongly encourage painting or drawing the landscape when one is away on vacation.  YOU REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE!!  

This project is a series of Plein-air paintings I have created while visiting Provincetown Massachusetts, and Monhegan Island, Maine.

  • Manana Island
    Manana Island

    Oil paint on linen

    9" x 12"

    2022

     

    Available for Purchase
  • Rugged Coast, Monhegan Island
    Rugged Coast, Monhegan Island

    Oil paint on linen

    9" x 12"

    2014

    Available for Purchase
  • Pond in the Beech Forest
    Pond in the Beech Forest

    Oil paint on linen

    10" x 13"

    2020

    Available for Purchase
  • Highland Lighthouse
    Highland Lighthouse

    Oil paint on linen

    11" x 8"

    2023

    Available for Purchase
  • Shore Line, Monhegan Island
    Shore Line, Monhegan Island

    Oil on linen

    11" x 14"

    2014

    Available for Purchase
  • Rocks at Lobster Cove
    Rocks at Lobster Cove

    Oil paint on linen

    8" x 9"

    2022

    Available for Purchase
  • Provincetown Marshland
    Provincetown Marshland

    Oil paint on linen

    12" x 18"

    2023

    Available for Purchase
  • Lobster Cove, Monhegan Island
    Lobster Cove, Monhegan Island

    Oil paint on linen

    10" x 12"

    2014

    Available for Purchase
  • Ocean View Looking Down From a Cliff
    Ocean View Looking Down From a Cliff

    Oil paint on linen

    8" x 12"

    2016

    Available for Purchase
  • Sand Dunes, Cape Cod
    Sand Dunes, Cape Cod

    Oil paint on linen

    9" x 12"

    2021

    Available for Purchase

Small Modern Sculpture

This body of work began while teaching my high school ceramic students.  Part of the course was hand building using slab construction.  As my students were creating amazing works of art cutting shapes out of slabs of clay, I was was intrigued by the shapes of the scraps they left behind.  I started to create abstract sculpture using their remnants.  I latter added my own shapes.  

 

 

  • Geometric Shapes #1
    Geometric Shapes #1

    Ceramic, Stained

    5"x 3 1/2"x 5"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Geometric Shape #2
    Geometric Shape #2

    Ceramic, Glazed

    6'x 4"x 5 1/2"

    2018

     

    Available for Purchase
  • Holy
    Holy

    Ceramic, Glazed

    5 1/2"x 2"x4"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Blue Portal
    Blue Portal

    Ceramic, Glazed

    4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Geese in Flight
    Geese in Flight

    Ceramic, glazed

    7 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 5"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • The Kiss
    The Kiss

    Ceramic, glazed

    4 1/2" x 7" x 2 1/4"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Primary Figures
    Primary Figures

    Ceramic, glazed

    5"x 3" x 4'

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Knight Chess Piece
    Knight Chess Piece

    Ceramic, stained

    5" x 51/2" x 4"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • Iron Split
    Iron Split

    Ceramic, stained

    8 1/2" x 4" x 4"

    2019

    Available for Purchase
  • I-Beam Construction
    I-Beam Construction

    Ceramic, stained

    7" x 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

    2024

    Available for Purchase

Majolica Pottery

In 1995 I took two majolica workshops that changed my direction as an artist and potter.   I always wanted to draw and paint on my pottery, this was the answer to my dreams.  I became a production majolica potter.  Business was great, my work always sold.  As is the dilemma for many artists, I could not created work fast enough to eek out a living.  I became an Art teacher.

I think, having retired, I might start experimenting more with this medium, and stains.  The recent piece Figures in Motion #2 is an example of red and black figure pottery (think ancient Greece)and  is one possibility I would like to pursue (the inside is majolica, the figures are created with stain).

  • Figures in Motion #1
    Figures in Motion #1

    Ceramic, Majolica

    4" x 8" x 8"

    1995

  • Figures in Motion #2
    Figures in Motion #2

    Ceramic bowl majolica interior, stained and clay colored figures

    5 1/2" x  9 1/2" x  9 1/2"

    2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Women Around a Pond
    Women Around a Pond

    Ceramic majolica bowl

    2" x 6 1/2" x 6 1/2"

    1996-2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Little Giraffe Bowl
    Little Giraffe Bowl

    Ceramic majolica bowl

    1 1/2" x 6" x 6"

    1996

    Available for Purchase
  • Giraffe Platter
    Giraffe Platter

    Ceramic plater with sculpted rim and majolica glaze

    1 3/4" x 13" x 13 1/2"

    1996-2024

    Available for Purchase
  • Women in Flight Covered Serving Dish (view from above)
    Women in Flight Covered Serving Dish (view from above)

    Ceramic majolica covered serving dish

    5 1/2" x 12 1/2" x 9 1/2"

    1996

     

  • Women in Flight Covered Serving Dish (side view)
    Women in Flight Covered Serving Dish (side view)

    Ceramic majolica serving dish

    5 1/2" x 12 1/2" x 9 1/2"

    1996

  • Figures in a Bowl
    Figures in a Bowl

    Ceramic, majolica

    2 1/4" x 6 3/4" x 6 3/4"

    1995

  • Figurative Vase
    Figurative Vase

    Ceramic majolica vase

    5 1/2" x 4" x 4"

    1995

  • Women in Flight Cup
    Women in Flight Cup

    Ceramic majolica cup

    4" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/4"

    1996-2024

    Available for Purchase