Dustin Boutwell believes a great painting is a well-crafted story. It is the product of style, taste, practice, and observation. It’s not clever, arty, or systematic. On the contrary a great painting is derived from an acute sensitivity to the relative visual reality that we experience every time we open our eyes. The only mechanical aspect lies in preparing a sound surface upon which to paint, and in cleaning the palette and brushes at the end of the day.

Dustin attended the Art Students League in NYC on a Merit Scholarship. While there he studied the human form, portraiture, and still life with renowned artists Ron Sherr, David Leffel, and Gregg Kreutz. After returning to the Corning area, he was invited to paint with Thomas Buechner in his studio. Dustin has exhibited and received awards across the US and his work is in many private collections.

2015 recipient of 171’s Bob Kinner Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.