Danny Minnick is the next big art investment name

It’s hard to believe that for Danny Minnick art has only been a passion for the last few years. Painting provided a creative alternative to skating following an injury, and Minnick hosted his first solo exhibition in 2011. Now, his work features in the collections of celebrities including basketball star LeBron James, musician Fred Durst, and actresses Mena Suvari and Jessica Alba.

Drawing comparisons with Basquiat, Minnick is one of the hottest names on the contemporary art scene today. We are delighted to represent his work at Maddox Gallery, hosting One Love, Minnick’s first solo exhibition in London, next month.

The journey to becoming an artist

Danny Minnick grew up in Seattle, landing a successful career as a professional skateboarder in his early teenage years. He showed artistic talent early in life, but only dabbled in tagging with spray paint and doodling on his skateboard.

However, a career-ending Achilles tendon injury led his life in another direction. During a job as an on-camera stunt double, Minnick pulled all of the ligaments in his left ankle, forcing him to take time off from active pursuits to recover.

Once an artist friend showed him how to stretch canvases, Minnick began experimenting with painting, channelling his energy and creativity into a new medium. His hobby soon become a profession, as he was offered his first gallery exhibition shortly after.

Danny Minnick’s art inspirations

While Minnick has moved away from skateboarding professionally, his art has plenty of energy, passion and movement which was most likely influenced by his earlier experiences. Indeed, he cites Ray Pettitbon skateboard graphics as an artistic influence, as well as street artist RETNA and musician Bob Dylan. He also acknowledges the influence of other skateboarders turned artists such as Mark Gonzales, Neil Blender and Chad Muska.

However, he credits fellow Seattle artist Jimi Hendrix as having the biggest impact on his artistic tastes. “One of my favourite things Basquiat said was that music is how we decorate time,” Minnick explained to Art Zealous, “and when I listen to Jimi Hendrix I see his paintings.”

Danny Minnick art reflects clear influences from various names in the contemporary art scene. Interview Magazine noted shared motifs that include De Kooning’ bold brushstrokes, Pollock’s signature drips, Keith Haring’s cartoon imagery and Basquiat’s daring use of colour.

Minnick works with large canvases, citing poor eyesight as the reason. However, this large scale also gives his work an overwhelming presence and immediate visceral impact. Sometimes, he shuns canvases entirely, creating exhibitions from work painted directly onto walls and floorboards in his studio.

“A childlike sense of wonder and curiosity” is evident in Minnick’s work, according to Forbes, as well as “a big, overflowing heart.” This is most clearly seen in ‘Character’ who features in most of his paintings, with a plus sign in the icon’s middle representing the positive energy that Minnick strives to share with the world.

Why buy Danny Minnick art as an investment

Many A-list celebrities have already chosen to buy Danny Minnick paintings to add to their collections, and the artist has cultivated a loyal following in the most exclusive circles.

While he may not yet be a household name in the UK, Minnick has been accepted as a talented key leading emerging artist in the US for some years now, and it’s only a matter of time before this trend is international. Choose to invest in Danny Minnick art sooner than later, you can enjoy his work and potentially profit from rising value in the coming years.

If you’d like to learn more about Danny Minnick and his upcoming show at Maddox Gallery, please call us or even pay us a visit.

If you want to learn more about investing in contemporary art, take a look at ‘The Six Key Factors to Consider When Making an Art Investment.’ To find out more about any of our represented artists, please contact Maddox Gallery. Our Sotheby’s-trained art consultants will be happy to provide expert advice.

Written by James Nicholls, Managing Director and Curator, Maddox Gallery.