Biography
Born in 1979, David is a full-time oil painter and portrait artist living and working in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He has been an Accountant (CPA-CMA), a professional musician, motorcycle racer, dog trainer, rock climber and amateur astronomer. Through it all, art has been his constant companion, to document his experiences and connect with the world around him.
David has always let his heart and curiosity lead the way, constantly observing, experiencing, and learning about the world. He considers himself equal parts adventurer, social scientist, storyteller and visual artist.
Project
During my residency, I will be focusing on portraiture. Each day, I hope to create a portrait from life that sitters can keep as thank you gift at the end of the session. Sitters will include those visiting the gallery with a few hours to spare, as well as pre-booked sitters to ensure a steady stream of work.
Visitors will be encouraged to ask questions, to observe my process, materials, and tools. For those brave enough to sit for a portrait, we will spend a few hours together getting to know each other, while I create a realistic oil portrait. At the end of the session, sitters will be gifted their portraits as a thank you for sharing their time.
Artist Statement
My passion is for portraiture. In my art practice I aim to paint people that are normally excluded from the art world, people who wouldn't have the opportunity to experience being painted.
During my last project, "We Exist, We Are Human" I completed 13 paintings of people living on the streets, many affected by homelessness. This series is currently being used to raise awareness on the issues of homelessness, while reminding society that we are all human, and everyone is deserving of respect and compassion.
With my next project, "Modern Heroes", I aim to raise awareness of the amazing people that surround us all, these normal everyday people (aka Modern Heroes) that make our lives just that much better. I want the viewer to leave thinking about the heroes in their own lives, about how they can show their appreciation, and help spread a little positivity.
We are all living in stressful times. My projects aim to provide a silver lining, a glimmer of hope, a realization that there is good all around us, right now, at this very moment. Sometimes we just need a reminder, and what better reminder than art, in the form of portraits.
