About David
My experience and interests
My aim is not to make money as an artist. I price paintings because it helps to pay for the cost of this hobby, and in fairness to other artists who need to earn a living.
I was a librarian for thirty-six years, did some writing as part of my work publicizing the library, and toyed with stories and novel outlines and drawings for fun. Looking forward to retirement, I expected to spend my time writing.
It was a surprise to me that the year before I retired in 2002, I became enchanted with art. I began to paint and loved it even when the results weren’t very good. When retirement came I took classes and lessons from Jane Filer at the Art Center. Over the years since I have studied with Steven Silverleaf, Lorrie Callahan, Erick Davis, Stacye Leanza and Chad Hughes. I have also learned from participating in several art committees, art galleries, organizations, and shows.
Subjects and Materials
I believe human beings need beauty to be healthy and happy. Beautiful scenes are all around us but we fail to see them. Yes, the sunset at the beach is awesome, but the sun sets most days where we live (unless you live in Michigan). I feel it is my job to see the beauty and capture it. (In East Lansing, you learn to appreciate the beauty in bare trees against a gray sky.)
Painting the human body is a challenge that I accepted when I began painting some of the dancers in the Carolina Ballet in 2006. I would rather have a farmer planting in the field in my painting than a beautiful bank of flowers; rather have kids throwing rocks in the lake than a sunset at the lake. My wife has sometimes been the subject of a painting–not her favorite activity. Our pets also become subjects.
In 2018, I had the opportunity to illustrate a picture book: The Adventure of Theo and Gus Gus, with the author, Megan Hoert Hughes. I have worked on three children’s books since, and hope to do more.
I primarily paint with acrylic and oil on canvas, but I also use pen and ink, watercolor, and pastels.
Every new painting is a challenge. They are all different, and I never know if this one will turn out the way it is supposed to. And I will revise an old painting, particularly to get it more colorful. I am always learning.
