Dallen's Bio

Dallen was born at an early age (zero to be exact). He blessed this earth with his presence on the 4th of March, 1977. Spawn of Hayden, Dallen took it upon himself to be the apple that didn't fall far from the tree. He may only be the third of eight children, but he was the first one with the guts to try to make his living as an artist, much like his father. Reflecting back on the blessing of being raised in a large family, Dallen has commented how, "It was a nice arrangement. Everyone had someone to beat up on." He has always considered his family upbringing to be a signifiket...signiphekit...a big influence (mostly for good) in his life. "There is something very stabilizing that comes with being raised in a home where God and family take priority." Dallen has many fond memories with his family; road trips, camping, hunting, fishing, and getting left behind at the gas station 400 miles from home. It was in that kind of setting that Dallen began to develop an urgency for a sense of direction, and an interest in the work his dad was doing as a wildlife artist.

Dallen went on to graduate from Highland High School in 1995. Following high school he served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the upstate New York area (making good on a promise he had made with the Lord back at the aforementioned gas station). Having never been to New York before, Dallen discovered upstate New York to be a beautiful area of the country. It was green, lush, and the streets were paved with opossums, raccoons and whitetail. Upon returning home he went right back to hunting, fishing, and drawing. He managed to find a little time in between to pursue his new found hobby, a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Idaho State University.

While attending ISU, Dallen began to go through some changes. His full, brown, curly locks. . .fell out and he started to look at girls differently. One girl in particular that he looked at a lot differently went by the name of Lisa Karlson. "Lisa was this very attractive girl with an even more beautiful personality. She was so far out of my league I had to marry her." After several long hours of trying to convince her that he could take care of her by being an artist with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management, she finally conceded, and they were soon married on August 1, 2002. They are now living happily in Pocatello. They have two children and a 27 inch color tv. Haven was their first son. He passed away soon after he was born. Dax is their younger boy who is growing up to be a strapping young buck. Dallen considers his little family to be among the most priceless possessions in his life.

Currently, he spends much of his time sharing a studio with his Dad, shootin' the bull, and sometimes even getting some painting done. Pencil drawings are done at his home since he can afford his own pencils. When he's not painting or drawing he enjoys time with his family, hunting, fishing, and fulfilling church callings.

Dallen's artwork can be found all over the country, scratched into junior high school desks, carved in several quaking asps around Idaho, and internationally in various retail stores including Cabela's, BassPro, and Sportman's Warehouse.

Dallen would like to extend a heart felt thank you to those who have gone to bat for him throughout his career. Like many things, success in the wildlife art industry requires some fortunate breaks along the way; people willing to steer you in the right direction and point you to the right people, and just to be there to let you know when you've just stepped in something nasty. Dallen has learned an important lesson: It's not who you know-it's who knows you. "My dad has been my biggest advocate. His efforts, combined with those of so many others, have been the driving force in this venture. Furthermore, I am one of those who believe that all good things in this life come from a loving Father in Heaven. To Him I am most grateful, and sincerely hope that my conduct and character reflect that gratitude."