Artist Durwood Coffey of Westland to speak May 28 in Monroe

MONROE — Durwood Coffey has been a combat artist and an illustrator. Today, he calls himself a visual storyteller.

At 6:30 tonight, the Westland artist will talk about his varied career at the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties, 216 N. Monroe St. The program is hosted by the Monroe Art League and is free.

“Monroe has always made me feel at home, and it will be good to see everyone again. I’m very honored that people come to see my work,” Coffey said.

He welcomes questions.

“At my presentations, I start showing and talking and I can see that someone wants to ask a question about what I’m doing. I don’t wait until the presentation is finished before I answer anyone’s question. At that point, it’s a free-for-all; it’s really exciting to me," he said.

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Coffey’s professional art career began when he was 18.

“I joined the Marines, and they made me a combat artist,” he said. “What did I do? Anything they asked me to draw. (Then) I did a couple of years doing only art classes in college, then on to the studios."

For 30 years he was an illustrator for big-name clients.

“Sesame Street, Marvel, the Big 3, McDonald’s, to local business,” Coffey said.

Then, he changed directions.

“I decided to do my own art. I don’t do illustration work anymore," Coffey said. "I’m on my own path. I felt it was important to get back to painting the subjects that I’ve always enjoyed painting.”

Those subjects are often animals.

“I have the freedom to explore the vast variety of wildlife subjects that exist in the world and reference them through my personal artistic expression,” he said.

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Coffey’s art is shown and sold around the world.

“I’ve had my share of commissions; one of them was to paint seven paintings for a book called ‘Running for Home.’ It’s a story about wolves re-introduced into Yellowstone,” he said. “I’m proud to say I have been fortunate to do artwork my whole life.”

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.