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Largely a self-taught painter, David Gray passionately creates works of art from his home in Tacoma, Washington. David acquired a strong foundational education in art while obtaining his BFA from Pacific Lutheran University. He has since built upon that foundation with a continuing independent study of pictorial expression in general and oil painting in particular. This study, tempered by his own artistic intuition, has resulted in paintings that display his affinity for the work of the Old Masters. David’s work is also characterized by simplified composition, an expression of beauty and a high degree of craftsmanship.
David has been painting for ten years and has spent the last five of those years as a full-time artist. He currently enjoys a steadily increasing reputation as a skillful painter of still life and figurative subjects. His paintings can be found in collections throughout the United States and Europe.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
"Of all the art I have encountered, I have responded most deeply to that which can be qualified as Classical Realism. Thus, my artistically expressive path has been heavily influenced by the work of masters, both old and new, of this type of art.
Though informed by the classical tradition as well as some important formal training, my art making is highly personal and intuitive. In creating a painting, the initial impetus usually comes with being inspired or deeply moved visually by the world around me -- even if this world is the controlled environment of my studio. I use the illusion of reality and an expresion of beauty to help communicate the experienced mood, feeling, or idea in a painting or series of paintings.
In this act of artistic communication, the importance of mastering my tools is not lost. I pursue an improved eloquence of expression through constant honing of such aspects of my craft as brushwork and the study of design. This drive for increased technical mastery is a fundamental and rewarding element of my art.
Also important to my work is the desire that my artistic inspirations and technique result in effective and meaningful communication to an audience. When someone is deeply moved or touched in some way by viewing one of my paintings, the ultimate purpose for which it was created is largely fulfilled."
EDUCATION:
2006 Terry Furchgott, Gage Academy of Art, Seattle, WA
1988-1992 Bachelor of Fine Art, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
COMMERCIAL EXHIBITIONS:
2009 "Through the Painter's Eye" Two Person Show, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2007 “Group of Six” Group Show, Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, WA
2007 “The Figure” Group Show, Eisenhauer Gallery, Edgartown, MA
2007 Salon International, International Museum of Contemporary Masters, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2006 Annual Invitational Miniature Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2005 New Works by Douglas Fryer and David Gray, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2005 “Slice of Life” Group Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2004 Annual Invitational Miniature Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2003 Annual Invitational Miniature Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2003 Oil Painters of America West/Southwest/Mountain Region Juried Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
2002 Annual Invitational Miniature Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2001 “Introductions” Group Show of New Gallery Artists, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2000 Annual Invitational Miniature Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2000 Pacific Rim Art Exposition, Seattle, WA
AWARDS:
2009 "Chairman's Choice Award", Art Renewal Center 2008/2009 Salon, NY
2008 "Award of Excellence, Best Associate Member", Western Regional OPA Show, Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
2007 “Finalist, Portrait and Figure Category”, The Artist’s Magazine 24th Annual Art Competition
2007 “Jury's Top 50” Salon International, International Museum of Contemporary Masters, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2003 “Best of Show” Oil Painters of America West/Southwest/Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
2005, Winter, Featured Artist, Scene Magazine (a quarterly publication of Pacific Lutheran University)
2003, November, Artist to Watch, Southwest Art Magazine
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