Dan Schultz became interested in art at a young age and enjoyed art classes through his school years. He obtained a college degree in commercial art with a focus on illustration and graphic design, but he never felt driven to pursue either as a career. After college, he continued to sharpen his drawing and painting skills by attending Cottonwood Artists' School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it was there that he reached a turning point and realized for the first time his desire for a career in fine art. Fueled by this desire, Schultz worked with determination toward his goal. As a result, he was soon asked to become one of Cottonwood's instructors. He accepted the invitation and became the youngest instructor to join the school's cadre of nationally-recognized professional artists. From that point on, the Colorado artist has focused on further developing his skills in order to fully explore his place in the vast world of art. He chooses to work in a classical style because he deeply connects with traditional works which aptly express reality. "Art should bring about a respect for life and God's creation around us," he says. "I want to do my best to faithfully render what is beautiful to me and hopefully others will find that beauty reflected in my art." Having begun life in New Mexico in 1975, Schultz has always felt at home in the southwest. After attending college in Florida at Pensacola Christian College, he returned to Colorado where the beauty of the southwest continues to influence his artwork. Schultz mainly focuses on figurative painting in his studio, but also enjoys painting landscapes on location. His hard work seems to be paying off because his art has gained national recognition in a variety of subjects and media. Southwest Art Magazine featured his work in its September, 2004, "21 Under 31" article. He holds memberships in the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, and was selected as a Top 100 finalist in the 2001 Arts for the Parks national competition. He has participated in extensive gallery and museum exhibitions and has also received numerous awards for his plein air and studio paintings. With the help and support of his wife Sarah, Schultz continues to teach aspiring artists at Cottonwood Artists' School. He has also benefited greatly from opportunities he has had to paint with artists such as Scott Burdick, Kim English, Chuck Mardosz, Matt Smith, and Skip Whitcomb. The generosity of these artists has further inspired him to share his knowledge as he continues his artistic journey and strives to capture the beauty of our world.