Dan Daly is a Maine painter whose work captures the essence of New England’s landscapes, people, and architecture. Based in Camden, he creates paintings that reflect his deep connection to the region—its rugged coastline, distinctive light, and enduring character. Whether working in pencil, ink, watercolor, oils, or acrylics, Dan moves fluidly between mural-sized compositions and intimate studies. His paintings are represented in public and private collections throughout the United States and Europe.A lifelong draftsman, Dan is rarely without a sketchbook. Decades of daily drawing have sharpened his ability to see and record moments, from fleeting light on the coast to the quiet familiarity of a camp porch. His artistic foundation was shaped by studies at Marlboro College and the Rhode Island School of Design, culminating in a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He describes his goal as “striving to do a common thing uncommonly well,” adding, “I like to do pictures that someone can return to, that make a connection, that say someone gave a damn enough to record this image because these colors, this light, this scene are worth examining.”Teaching has also shaped Dan’s perspective. He has led classes at the college level, worked with private students, and volunteered at the Maine State Prison, where he found students “hungry for expression and outside input.” Those experiences reinforced his belief that sincerity, more than technique, gives art its presence and impact.Rooted in observation yet open to exploration, Dan’s work balances intimacy and universality, offering viewers images that resonate across time and place.Learn more about Dan’s art and process on Radio Maine.