[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 160 (Monday, October 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DENNIS ZIEMIENSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 24, 2011

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, 
Representative Mike Thompson, to honor Dennis Ziemienski, the 2011 
Sonoma Treasure Artist. An internationally known artist from Glenn 
Ellen, CA, Mr. Ziemienski is also a prominent supporter of art events 
in the Sonoma Valley.
  Born and raised in San Francisco, Dennis graduated from the 
California College of Arts and Crafts before moving to New York for a 
successful career in illustration and painting. He worked with Time-
Life, Levi-Straus, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times and has 
created compelling images for many high-profile clients such as Super 
Bowl XXIX, the Napa Mustard Festival, the Kentucky Derby, the 
California Railway Museum, and the San Francisco Zoo.
  An internationally acclaimed painter, Dennis has had several solo 
exhibitions, won numerous awards, taught at prominent art schools, and 
illustrated well-known book covers. He has also volunteered his 
teaching skills at local schools and has donated auction paintings or 
created posters for local Sonoma Valley nonprofits.
  Dennis's work is marked by fine draftsmanship and strong, richly 
colored images inspired by early 20th century painting and posters. He 
travels frequently to develop different ideas and sensibilities. ``I 
love to paint my native California and the West,'' he says, ``but the 
land of my ancestors, Italy and the Mediterranean, has also been a 
frequent subject . . . it is also important for me to use a romantic 
sense of history and place, when required, to create a vision that 
lures the viewer into the picture, creating the desire to `be there'.''
  Dennis is married to artist Anne Ziemienski, and the couple's 
daughter, Sofia, attends the University of the Redlands.
  Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to congratulate Dennis Ziemienski for his 
designation as the Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year for 2011. Please 
join us and the Sonoma Valley Community in celebrating his 
accomplishments and contributions.