JUNE 1 - JULY 5, 2023 | 221B Gallery | Trinidad, Colorado

Hans Droog, a Dutch native, was born in Indonesia, and raised in Tunisia and The Netherlands, where he finished his 6-year education at the Classical Academy of Fine Arts in Groningen (1980). He soon settled in the Mediterranean city of Montpellier in the South of France where he exhibited his paintings at local galleries and received commissions from architects and interior designers.

                 In 1984 he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. There he continued working as a fine artist, exhibiting and selling works in numerous St. Louis- and regional galleries. His large, realistically painted studies of Midwestern life and farm scenes were exhibited at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, several financial Institutions, and received numerous recognitions and awards from various organizations including "Art St. Louis", one of the largest non-profits in the region.

                 During this same period, Hans' evolving interest in Midwestern farm scenes, livestock and native wildlife resulted in a commercial line of art and attracted commissions from corporations such as John Deere, Ralston Purina, Anheuser Busch and Drury Hotels, as well as private collectors. For over a decade he created the original art for “Zoofari,” the St. Louis Zoo's largest bi-annual fundraising event. His artwork was also commissioned by Anheuser Busch for collectible beer steins, including the 'American Wildlife' series and the popular "Christmas Stein".

                 In the 1990s Hans moved to the small German town of Hermann along the Missouri River, and continued receiving commissions and exhibiting his work which is widely found in homes, restaurants, wineries and bed & breakfasts throughout the region. While his artwork remains focused on wildlife and livestock, he also designs and produces many pieces of original hand-carved furniture, inspired by garden flowers. His custom furniture, cabinets and doors can be found in many of Hermann's century-old B&Bs.

 In January 2016 Hans moved to Trinidad, Colorado, excited to continue his work as a painter, sculptor and wood/metalworker while using Trinidad as a source of inspiration. Here he has designed and fabricated furniture, bridges and entrances for the Tranchera Ranch, designed and fabricated many signs throughout the city, created furniture with historical building elements for Space To Create of the Corazon de Trinidad Creative district offices, and received a public art commission from the City of Trinidad.