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Dann " Spider " Warren is a self taught artist whose fascination with
art started him painting at the early age of twelve. Encouraged by his Grandmother,
Spider completed his first oil painting at the age of sixteen. The painting is a version of the " Last Supper " and still hangs in the
prayer room of the church that his Grandparents attend.
A native of Colorado, Spider painted Southwestern art and wildlife indigenous
to the area. In 1995 Spider was commissioned to paint a 6,000 square foot sea
mural in Destin Florida. As a result Spider began scuba diving so he could study
his subjects in their natural environment. During the course of the Destin project
Spider fell in love with the sugar white beaches of Florida. This prompted a
life changing move to Florida here he called home and continued his career until
August 2005.
Spider began re-evaluating his career on the Emerald Coast after surviving
Hurricane Ivan and a few close encounters of other major Hurricanes that hit
the Gulf Coast. Spider made another life changing move and returned to his Native
home in Colorado as Hurricane Katrina was making landfall, this is where he
continues his career.
Spiders artwork has bee in several publications, won numerous awards, and
is recognized around the world. Spider's murals can be seen all around the Emerald
Coast of Florida and have become well known landmarks. Spider has donated several
murals to schools in the Destin area to promote the preservation of wildlife
and the environment.
Through his work with children, Spider wants to share the importance of protecting
marine wildlife as well as their habitats. Spider has also donated prints to
the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge to aid sick or injured aquatic life back to
health. Spider donated his talents to restore the 40 foot dolphin statue that
marks the entrance to the famed Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key Florida
as well as posters to help raise the money.
Spider's painting entitled " Mermaids of the Crystal River " won
an art contest hosted by the Florida Wildlife, Fish and Game Commission for the " Save the Manatee " decal for 2000. There was 125,00 decals sold through
the Florida DMV state wide for donations of $ 5.00 or more to support the Manatee Program research efforts.
Through Spider's success at the International Art Expo in New York and San
Francisco for two years and ads in Art Business News, Spider has gained a strong
following. His work was recently introduced in Japan with other markets opening
soon. Spider feels he is truly blessed to be able to make a living by doing
what he loves. Spider hopes that those who gaze upon his work will feel the
emotion and innocence of the creatures ( big or small ) and make a heart felt
effort to protect them; so future generations can see and enjoy the amazing
creatures of our world! | 
