ARTIST STATEMENT
One of the advantages of living in the Pacific
Northwest is the spectacular scenery. I am often awestruck by the
beauty, complexity and diversity that surround me. I see the
fingerprints of a creative God everywhere, from the last glow of golden
light on Mt. Rainier to the sparkle of a meandering meadow stream. This
inspires me to attempt to capture
the essence of a particular setting or a moment in
time, and share that with others through
my paintings.
I like to use the effects of early morning or late
afternoon lighting to bring out the more dramatic saturated colors and
transform a seemingly ordinary setting. The challenge for me is to
capture the patterns and contrasts between the warm light and cool
shadows. I often try to isolate and focus in on scenes that others
might normally overlook and give viewers a little different
perspective.
As long as I can remember I have wanted to be an
artist. This has encompassed several different areas—design,
decorating, gardening, painting. My earlier landscapes were executed in
a tight, almost photorealistic manner. The turning point began after
seeing the work of the French Impressionists in Paris. I was attracted
by the brighter colors, freshness and spontaneity of their paintings.
In recent years I have been drawn to the Russian and Early California
Impressionists. While my work is still representational, I have
loosened and softened my approach. By not defining every leaf or blade
of grass, viewers have more opportunity to interact and use their
imagination, making them a part of the creative process.
PERSONAL
David was born in northern California. He studied
at Art Center College of Design, Biola University and the Scottsdale
Artist’s School. Recently he has taken workshops with the Plein
Air Painters of America and Scott Christensen. David has spent the past
27 years in the Pacific Northwest. He and his wife, Jean reside in
Edmonds and have five children, including two boys from Bulgaria.
