Dear Reader,
Greetings.
My journey into tattooing continues. More on that later. First, I just finished this new painting for the upcoming "ORNITHOLOGY" show at Jawbone Gallery in New Jersey. This gallery is owned by Victor Grasso, an incredible artist whose work I've admired for a long time. One of his beautiful paintings is in our family room! So I wasn't going to miss participating in this show. Honored to be a part of it. Here are the stages of painting. I started in a playful mood. Free and experimental. |
And the finished painting: |
Herald Of Change
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"Herald of Change" 9x12in oil on cradled panel, 2025
Masterworks frame $4200 |
GROUP EXHIBITION: ORNITHOLOGY
JAWBONE GALLERY CAPE MAY, NJ
OCTOBER 25 - DECEMBER 21 609.600.2574 | info@jawbonegallerycapemay.com |
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In June I taught a workshop at Gateway Atelier of Classical Art (GACA) in St Louis. When I arrived, it was shocking to see all the damage from the tornado that had just gone through the city. But I had a great time during this workshop. Fantastic venue, great group of people. They are expanding their atelier program, so if you're in the area and want high quality classical training, I recommend checking it out.
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Demonstration painting #1. Light demo with brush. Setup on top, finished demo below. (9x12in oil on artefex aluminum panel, SOLD): |
GACA Demo #1
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Demo #2. Dark demo with knife! Setup on top, finished painting below. (9x12in oil on artefex aluminum panel, SOLD): |
GACA Demo #2
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I have just one more workshop this year and it's a special one at the much celebrated Scottsdale Artists' School. 5 days and two complimentary approaches to composition.
Still Life Composition Intensive: Painting from Life & Imagination
My two approaches to painting a still life go hand in hand. The core approach is painting from life, learning how to properly set up the inspiration for your painting and manipulating all factors to create a powerful sense of focus. Learning to paint with intention and adapt as you go, not being constrained by your setup. This can take you very far.
The second approach will challenge any limitations you’ve placed on yourself by forcing you to detach from reference completely and beginning your composition with pure abstraction to build focus. Then drawing on your imagination to paint in a representational way. You will learn to trust yourself in service of the painting and be less reliant on observation.
There is a dichotomy here. In the beginning of my painting career, I would have said that observation is [almost] everything. But observation can only take you so far. We’re here to make PAINTINGS.
I hope you can join us. All levels welcome. Different levels will take different insights and skills home with them. |
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October 6-10 2025
Scottsdale Artists' School 5-Day Still Life Composition Intensive:Painting from Life & Imagination
$750 Scottsdale, Arizona |
This workshop is fast approaching. In lieu of idle threats of an imminent sellout of the workshop--"quick! don't miss out! it's your only chance!", I'll tell you the truth which is perhaps the best selling point on its own: Workshop attendance will probably be on the smallish side and will facilitate a more intimate learning experience. While not necessarily financially optimal for both me and the school, it is ideal for students. I pride myself on packing as much 1-on-1 instruction as possible into every workshop, and this one will be especially so. Another truth is that given my current focus on learning the craft of tattooing, I haven't yet scheduled any workshops for 2026. So it might be a while until the next workshop!
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While we're in a truth-telling mood, truth be told, I've just run out of steam. Ha! My newsletter-writing steam has blown it's last toot for today. So I will catch you up on my tattoo journey in the next newsletter. For now I'll just say that I'm loving tattooing. It's incredibly difficult and awesome. I've started custom tattoos of various sizes, done some tiny jobs and touchups, learning so much all the time. I love working in the shop (The Copper Wolf in Tumwater, WA) with great people. Right now I'm preparing for back to back trips. First to Appleton Wisconsin for the Empire Inks Art Retreat (painting and communing with other tattoo artists), then to Scottsdale AZ for the workshop!
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Thank you for reading. Until next time, -David |
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