A Modern Classic Artist, Dennis Shields, left Canada in the early '70s to study art overseas. His interest drew him to Ireland's Book of Kells, the stone circles of Britain, London's art museums, and the works of European Masters in Holland and Italy. Shield's informal studies and travels ultimately led him to Switzerland and the Goetheanum Arts Institute. He embarked on a four-year painting theory and practice program there, absorbing the German language through his daily studies.