Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win David's painting "Sweet and Sour" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.
Dave Gibson was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. As a result of the American steel industry collapse during the 1980’s Dave moved to Lancaster, PA in 1987 and has lived here ever since.
A self-taught artist blessed by God with the innate ability to replicate with paint and brush the experiences of life. Until 2016 painting had been an on again off again hobby for Dave. He retired from the Kellogg Company June 2016 and committed to a renewed focus on the further development of his artwork.
Water Mixable Oil paints are Dave’s preferred medium. His style is representational impressionism. Dave finds the subjects for his paintings through his daily interaction with the world. “I’m always on the lookout for dramatic lighting and compelling compositions in everyday life.”
Recent accomplishments
"Oil and Garlic" 1st Place Non-Professional Category 2019 LCAA Winter Exhibition
"Sweet Peppers and Glass Bowl" 1st Place Non-Professional Category 2019 LCAA Garden Exhibition
"Dilly Beans" 1st Place Non-Professional Category 2019 LCAA Spring Member Exhibition
"Bourbon Street Bucket Drummer" Honorable Mention Oil & Acrylic Painting Category 2019 LCAA Open Exhibition
“Peppermint And Cinnamon” Honorable Mention Non-Professional Category 2019 LCAA
“Keeping It Cool” Exhibition.
"Hangin' At The Barbershop" Honorable Mention 2019 LCAA Fall Membership Exhibition
"Walking Towards The Light", Honorable Mention 2019 LCAA Seniors Exhibition
“Sliced Pickles” 1st place in the Lancaster County Art Association 2020 Garden Exhibit Professional Category
“Leaf On The Snow” 1st place in the Lancaster County Art Association 2020 Let It Snow Holiday Exhibit
What did you want to be growing up?
During elementary school I wanted to be a doctor. At some point I realized the amount of schooling required to become a doctor and changed my mind. During high school I was planning on going to college for art. After watching my high school art teacher manage students in his classes that were there simply because they didn’t want to take algebra or chemistry, I changed my mind again. I ended up spending my career in the technical arena, as an electronic technician, automated manufacturing process programmer and a process manager.
When did your artistic journey begin?
For as long as I can remember I loved to draw and create things. My art teacher in the 4th grade recognized my artistic abilities and registered me in a Saturday art class at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. This class was attended by hundreds of grade school students in the Pittsburgh area. I’d say that this experience was the beginning of my artistic journey.
 |
| Sweet and Sour (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing David's interview. |
Did you have long periods without creative expression? How did you get back on the horse?
In my opinion, when you’ve been blessed as a creative, you can’t avoid creative expression. There have been extended periods of time during my life when I didn’t paint or draw. However, during these times, I expressed my creative spirit through guitar, carpentry, landscaping and numerous other outlets.
June of 2016, I retired from my professional career. My dream was to focus my time and energies on my artwork after I retired. For the past five years I have done just that.
Which mediums and genres do you gravitate toward? Which ones don’t appeal?
Water Mixable Oils is the only medium I work with. As for genres, I am particularly fond of impressionistic still lives. Still life subjects allow me to have total control of the environment. No changing light. The subject stays as I set it up, for days if needed. However, I do enjoy painting a variety of subject types. Figurative, animals and landscapes. I have never been drawn to abstract art. Not as an artist or as an admirer.
 |
| Coffee Break Discussion (click to view) |
What was the process like of pinpointing your personal style or finding your voice?
With painting as well as being a guitarist, it took quite some time for me to realize that my style of painting and playing guitar is unique to me. Be comfortable with that and enjoy it, allow it to happen naturally. Be yourself!
Name an artist (or artists), well-known or not, who you admire. Why?
Dennis Perrin. I love Dennis’ work. After I retired, I enrolled in a couple of Dennis’ online training courses and my approach to painting changed forever. Dennis teaches that the mental approach to painting is equally as important as the physical. Meditate on the painting before you pick up a brush, perhaps for days. Paint the piece in your mind before painting it on canvas. Another Dennis Perrin philosophy that I found extremely helpful is that you aren’t painting things, or objects. You are painting abstract shapes of varying color and value.
 |
| Oh My Darling (click to view) |
If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger, creative self — what would that be?
Pursue being an artist!! Follow the artistic abilities that God has blessed me with!
Do you utilize any habits or tricks for winning the distraction and procrastination battle?
In the infamous words of Nike, Just Do It!
 |
| Cold Bridges (click to view) |
In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you push forward?
I rely on my faith in God and pray!
What are some of your long and short term goals for yourself or your art?
Now that I am a 67-year-old retired individual, my goals are more focused on the short term, daily goals.
• Improve as an artist everyday
• Have my artwork seen by the public
 |
| Sunflowers (click to view) |
What does success mean to you personally?
Success to me means that I’m living my life following God’s plan, bringing joy to others. Hopefully my artwork brings joy to others and touches them in some way.
What is one of your proudest moments in your creative life?
Shortly after I retired, I entered one of my paintings in a local art association exhibit and was awarded honorable mention. My first award as an artist. That was a proud moment for me.
 |
| Susquehannock Road (click to view) |
Thanks, David!
© 2021 Sophie Marine
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hello! Thank you for reading the interviews of some of the amazing artists from Daily Paintworks! If you'd like to leave a comment on this blog, it will be greatly appreciated. If you don't see your comment show up, we recommend you try a different browser. Unfortunately blogger seems to have an issue processing comments sometimes from certain browsers, especially if you aren't using a google account. This is a problem on bloggers' end and not within our control. The comments on all posts older than 30 days are moderated to prevent spam.