A little bit about my art…

More often than not, I will use a photograph as a starting point for the painting, coupled with a simple field sketch highlighting specific details that I want to remember about the moment. Back in the studio, I’ll lightly pencil-draw the general subject matter, usually on 140 lb. cold press paper.

Many of my pieces start with the watercolor paint going down first, mostly wet-on-wet. Often, the sky or background to the painting is put in here. I try to not be too careful at this stage, but attempt to capture the feeling of the moment. Because the pen and ink application usually adds the detail or focus of the piece, I need to pay attention to when it’s wise to put the paintbrush down and start with the next phase.

The time consuming waterproof ink is applied with an organic, build-as-you-go feel. With my dad working as a structural engineer, I grew up thinking that when I drew a line on paper that it had to be pressed against a straight-edge. Years later, how fun it was to move the pen beyond the straight line. As you look closer at my work you’ll see how I’ve left the linear world and moved into the world of squiggles, loops and scribbles.

I enjoy my art and it’s fun to do. I hope you enjoy the end result, too.

-David Given