ABOUT

The drawings and paintings of Dwight Cushman tackle subjects of ritual, grief, and the quiet dignity of human experience. Informed by the artist's professional background in funeral services, the work explores themes of memento mori through the lens of funerary customs. His studio's practice is centered upon documenting the emotional and formal frameworks these traditions provide, seeking out moments where sincerity and beauty emerge from loss. Cushman's artwork thoughtfully explores the role of ritual in aiding recovery.

Cushman's paintings combine precise drawing with a highly textured surface. Rooted in realism, Cushman keeps the focal areas smooth for clarity while building up the rest of the painting through layered scumbling, scraping, and direct brushwork. This method of paint application gives the artwork a tactile quality reminiscent of a stone surface. Troweling on paint keeps the surface vibrant, aggressive, and energetic. A technique that lends itself to melancholic atmospheric scenes with a sense of brooding spiritual, or dreamlike depth.

Participation

2025- Carbon County Art Guild - Inspired by Song + Art in the Beartooth's Silent Auction + Quick Draw + Labor Day Art Fair + Member Show + Mystery Artist Show.

2025- Montana Shakespeare in the Parks - Commemorative Art

2025- Roosevelt Center Red Lodge, MT Group Show 

2024- Carbon County Art Guild Exhibitions: "Inspired by Song" + "Art in the Beartooth's Silent Auction" + Member Show + Community Show

2023-  "Birds of the Rocky Mountain Region" , The Brinton Museum - Sheridan, WY 

2023- Wyoming Game and Fish Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Show - Cheyenne, WY

2023- BAM - Bozeman Art Museum - Plein Air Quick Draw Cherry Creek Fishing Access

2023- Plein Air Fest - National Museum of Wildlife Art Jackson, WY 

2022 - SAGE Gallery 12th Annual National Juried Show Sheridan, WY https://www.artinsheridan.com/juried12

2022- Plein Air Fest - National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson, WY) https://www.wildlifeart.org/events/plein-air-fest-etc

2022- Wyoming Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition - WY State MuseumCheyenne, WY 

2018- CM Russell Museum Saddles & Spurs Quick Draw Artist Great Falls, Montana

Community Outreach

2017-2018 Sunday Painter www.sundaypainter.org - Established, organized and led 45+ indoor/outdoor drawing and painting workshops. Great Falls, Montana  http://www.sundaypainter.org/

Press & Publications

2025- Montana Shakespeare in the Park Event Program "Meet the Artist" Contest Winner Profile & Artwork sold at MSIP merchandise stands during live Shakespeare events.

2023- Exhibition Catalog  "Birds of the Rocky Mountain Region"   The Brinton Museum - Sheridan, WY 

2018- Great Falls Tribune      Montana Public Radio 89.9FM     KRTV      KFBB-TV      KULR-8      ABC-FOX MONTANA      Powell Tribune KTVQ      KXLH      KGPR

2022- Video Blog Interview - Yellowstone National Park : https://thatparkplace.com/putting-around-the-usa-waterfall-at-grand-canyon-of-yellowstone-a-video-interview/

2022- Powell Tribune - Powell, WY Cover Story "A Brush with Death" - April 21,2022

https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/mortician-turns-to-painting-wyoming-landscapes-for-therapy-inspiration,39933 

2022-  County10.com  6 Local Artists Featured in Wyoming Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition - Wyoming Arts Council - Wyoming Arts Alliance

2018- KRTV NEWS - Broadcast News Story - Sunday, 1-28-2018 Montana