David Gray

David’s signature style reveals a personal and contemporary expression of beauty and order which pays homage to the Classical Tradition in its craftsmanship. Collectors of David’s work often relate that his painting evokes a sense of peace, stillness, or a contemplative mood. His award-winning works have been covered by major art publications including Southwest Art, Art of the West, and American Art Collector. David also teaches several workshops per year in portraiture and still life painting throughout the United States and abroad. (See David’s workshop schedule HERE.) 

Fans of David’s work will notice an exploration in style beginning in late 2017. This new style, while retaining the mastery of draftsmanship characteristic of earlier work, finds a new freedom of brushwork and color application. This new dialect of painting is influenced in part by French Impressionism of the late 19th century, particularly the work of Monet. Forms are often suggested rather than completely rendered, though a solidly sculpted structure is still evident. David’s former work communicated a stirring beauty and meditative stillness. His current painting will push that expression into a new strength of emotion through bold brushwork, inventiveness, and a new found creative conviction. Currently, collectors have the opportunity to enjoy both directions of David’s multifaceted talents.

“Whether he is painting still lifes or figures, Gray brings a deep knowledge of and respect for the masters that translates into an elegant minimalism on canvas or panel. His tonalist portraits usually focus solely on the head and shoulders, while his still lifes feature timeless objects such as copper pots and china teacups surrounded by generous doses of negative space.” 

–Bonnie Gangelhoff, Southwest Art Magazine

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“I’m not simply a “Realist”. I find in my best work, my subjects seem to hover somewhere between the visible natural realm and some place divine…”

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–David Gray

Education and Instructors

Ten Day Figure Painting Workshop, Douglas Flynt, The Grand Central Academy of Art, New York, NY
Hans Nordlund, Tacoma Academy of Fine Art, Tacoma, WA
Terry Furchgott, Gage Academy of Art, Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Fine Art, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

Juried and Commercial Exhibitions (from 2005 and onward)
 

2018 107th Annual California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA

2018 Outside Perspectives, Group Show, Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, OR

2017 Legacy, Group Show, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO

2017 27th Annual Small Works Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA

2017 Oil Painters of America 26th National Juried Exhibition, Eisele Gallery of Art, Cincinnati, OH

2016 Femina Mystica — Three Person Show, Krab Jab Studio, Seattle, WA

2016 One Man Show, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe NM

2015 Winter Group Show, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2015 Renaissance of Realism, Group Show, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO

2015 25th Annual Small Works Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA

2015 Two-Person Show, Marilyn Yates and David Gray, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2015 The Magic of Realism Group Exhibition, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO

2014 24th Annual Small Works Exhibition, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA

2014 Oil Painters of America 23rd National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT

2014 Windows to the Divine Invitational, Arthaus, Denver, CO

2014 “American Still Life” Group Exhibition, R.W. Norton Gallery, Shreveport, LA

2014 Salmagundi Club, Members Exhibit, New York, NY

2013 One Man Show, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2013 Annual Group Realism Show, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ

2012 1st Annual Figurative Group Show, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2012 Contemporary Invitational Still Life Exhibit, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, SC
2012 “America the Beautiful” Group Show, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
2012 “Artists for the New Century” Invitational, The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
2011 Scottsdale Fine Art Annual Holiday Show, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2011 American Art Invitational, Small Works, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
2011 Windows to the Divine Invitational, The MADDEN Museum of Art, Greenwood Village, CO
2011 21st Annual Invitational Small Works Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2011 Oil Painters of America Western Region Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, CA
2011 “Impressions of Fall” Group Show, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
2011 Oil Painters of America 20th National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Devin Galleries, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2011 “Impressions of Spring” Group Show, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
2010 3rd Biennial American Art Invitational, Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
2010 “Champions of Realism” Group Show, Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2010 20th Annual Invitational Small Works Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2010 “Celebrating Realism” Invitational, Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
2010 “Through the Painter’s Eye” Group Realism Show, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2009 Annual Small Works Invitational and Sale, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2009 19th Annual Invitational Small Works Show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2009 Oil Painters of America Western Region Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2009 Cheri Christensen, Jill Soukup, and David Gray, Eisenhauer Gallery, Edgartown, MA
2009 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2009 “Through the Painter’s Eye” Work by Jacqueline Kamin and David Gray, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Annual Holiday Miniature Show, Scottsdale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Oil Painters of America Western Region Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Devin Galleries, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2008 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
2007 “Small Wonders” Miniature 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


Awards 

2017 Bronze Medal, Oil Painters of America 26th National Juried Exhibition, Eisele Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2016 John August Dietrich Memorial Figurative Award of Excellence, 25th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils

2014 Finalist, 2013/2014 International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center, http://artrenewal.org

2012 “Chairman’s Choice Award”, 2011/2012 International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center, http://artrenewal.org

2011 Silver Medal, OPA Western Region Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils
2010 “Top 100 Finalist”, 2009/2010 International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center, http://artrenewal.org
2009 “Finalist”, International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 52 – Favorite Subjects
2009 Multiple “Finalist” entries in both the Still Life and Figure categories, The Artist’s Magazine 26th Annual Art Competition
2009 “Hunter Editions Award of Excellence” Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2009 “Chairman’s Choice Award”, 2008/2009 International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center, http://artrenewal.org

2008 “Award of Excellence – Best Associate Member”, Oil Painters of America Western Region Juried Exhibition, Devin Galleries, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2007 “Top 100 Finalist”, 2007 International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center, http://artrenewal.org 
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 Region Juried Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography 

2016 New Realism 2016, Contemporary Takes on the Figure

2016 April, The Artist’s Magazine, Cover and feature article 

2015 Fine Art Tips with Lori McNee: Painting Techniques and Professional Advice, North Light Books

2013 Davd Gray: Classical Realist, Interview, Art Book Guy

2012/13 December/January, “Strokes of Realism”, Gulf Connoissuer

2011 Spring, Featured Alumnus, Scene Magazine (a quarterly publication of Pacific Lutheran University)
2011 March, “Tone Poems”, Southwest Art

2009 Sept/Oct, “The Beauty of the Form”, Art of the West

2009 Aug/Sept, Prize Winners for Challenge No. 52 – Favorite Subjects, International Artist

2009 May, Oil Painters of America 2009 National Juried Exhibition, Show Preview, American Art Collector

2009 February, “Through the Painter’s Eye”, Show Preview, American Art Collector

2005 Winter, Featured Artist, Scene Magazine (a quarterly publication of Pacific Lutheran University)
2003 November, Artist to Watch, Southwest Art

BORN: 1974 – Powell, WY 

EDUCATION: 

Apprenticeship – William Whitaker, Provo, UT -Brigham Young University – B.A., Provo, UT -Northwest College – A.A., Powell, WY 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: 

2018 -27th National Juried Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Steamboat Springs, CO, May-Jun 2018 -Visiting Artist, Brigham Young University, February 2018 2017 -Relics, Solo Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, October 2017 -26th National Juried Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Cincinatti, OH, May-Jun 2017 -Finalist Showcase, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 2017 2016 -25th National Juried Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Dallas, TX, May-Jun 2016 -Finalist Showcase, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Conference, Washington, DC, April 2016 2015 -Observations, Solo Exhibit, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA, Sept-Oct 2015 -The Heaven Were Opened (Permanent Exhibit), LDS Church History Museum, Sept 2015 -Finalist Showcase, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 2015 -91st Annual Spring Salon, Springville MOA, May-Jun 2015 2014 -Face Off: Portraits by Casey Childs, Solo Exhibit, Springville MOA, Springville UT, Jun 2014-Jan 2015 -90th Annual Spring Salon, Springville MOA, May-Jun 2014 2012 -88th Annual Spring Salon, Springville MOA, May-Jun 2012 -Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio TX, Apr-May 2012 -Influential Figures, Anderson Gallery, Provo UT, Apr-May 2012 -9th International Art Exhibition, LDS Church History Museum, Mar-Oct 2012 -Portraiture, Solo Exhibit, Orindorff Building, Northwest College, Powell WY, Feb-Mar 2012 -10 Artists, 10 Views, Springville Moa, Springville, UT Jan 2012 2011 -Finalist Showcase, Portrait Society of America International Conference, Atlanta, GA, April-May 2011 -26th Annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville, UT Oct-Dec 2011 -87th annual Spring Salon, Springville MOA, Apr-May 2011 

-Recent + Works, Solo Exhibit, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University, Feb 2011 2010 -25th Annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville, UT Oct-Dec 2010 -Illumination, Solo Exhibit, Communal Restaurant, Aug-Oct 2010 -Summer Showcase, Covey Center, Aug 2010 -86th annual Spring Salon, Springville Moa, Apr-May 2010 2009 -8th International Art Exhibition, LDS Church History Museum, Mar-Oct 2009 -24th Annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville Moa, Oct-Dec 2009 2007 -83rd annual Spring Salon, Springville Moa, May 2007 2006 -82nd Annual Spring Salon, Springville Moa, May 2006 -Freedom Festival Art Exhibition, Provo City Council, July 2006 2003 -79th Annual Spring Salon, Springville Moa, May 2003 

HONORS 

-Gold Medal, OPA 27th National Juried Exhibition, 2018 -Second Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2018 -First Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Outside the Box Category, 2018 -Fifth Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Commissioned Portrait Category, 2018 -MEAM Purchase Award, Art Renewal Center 13th International Salon, 2018 -Third Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2017 -Board of Director’s Award of Excellence, OPA 26th National Juried Exhibition, 2017 -Art Renewal Center Realism Award of Excellence, OPA 25th National Juried Exhibition, 2016 -Second Place, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2016 -First Place Drawing, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition, 2015 -Third Place, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Self Portrait Category, 2013 -Merit Award, 88th Spring Salon, Springville, UT, 2012 -Merit Award, 9th International LDS Art Exhibition, Salt Lake City, UT 2012 -Charles and Ruth Whiting Award, 26th Annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville, UT 2011 -First Honors, Portrait Society of America International Competition, 2011 -Fourth Place, Portrait Society of America Member Competition, Outside the Box, 2011 -Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America International Exhibition 2010 -Honorable Mention, Commissioned Portrait, PSA Member Competition, 2010 -Honorable Mention, Non-Commissioned Portrait, PSA Member Competition, 2010 -Merit Award, 86th Spring Salon, Springville, UT, 2010 -First Place, Lehi Arts Competition, Lehi, UT, 2008 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

-“The Human Form”, Southwest Art Magazine, December 2018 -“Casey Childs: One Artist’s Journey to Obtain Accuracy in a Multiple Figure Historical Narrative Painting”, International Artists Magazine, Oct/Nov 2015 -“Observations”, American Art Collector, September 2015 -“17th Annual International Portrait Competition Showcase, International Artists Magazine, Aug/Sept 2015 -“Unfurl”, American Art Collector, August 2015 -“Artists to Watch”, Southwest Art Magazine, June 2015 -Fibonacci Digest (cover), Fall/Winter 2014 -Let’s Talk Art! 10th Edition, Sept/Oct/Nov 2013 -Ensign (LDS Magazine), June 2013 -“Artist Creates Diptych Depicting Death of Joseph Smith”, Daily Herald, April 4, 2013 -Blue Canvas Magazine (Issue 12) – May 2012 -“Artist Casey Childs Paints Lessons in History”, Lovell Chronicle, Mar 29, 2012 -“Casey Childs, Works by Artist with Lovell and Powell Connections”, Powell Tribune, Mar 13, 2012 -Poets/Artists Magazine (Collaboration Issue) – Jan 2012 -American Art Collector Magazine – August 2011 -Poets/Artists Magazine (Summer Extravaganza Issue) – July 2011 -International Artist Magazine – June/July 2011 -International Artist Magazine – August/September 2010 -A Critical Catalogue with selections from the 86th Annual Spring Salon of Contemporary Utah Art – July 2010 -The Provo Orem Word (cover) – June 2010 

Sculptor

“Master in Our Mist”, featured article in ElanMagazine, tells of Colorado sculptor Huberto Maestas committed to artistic expression, “a man restless in search for appropriate forms, yet never allows that search to obscure the delight he takes in creating them.”

Addressing his art to the realm of human experience, his sculptural figures are imbued with drama.  This is most evident as experienced in walking the Stations of the Cross Shrine in San Luis, CO.  Creations of the artist, these 32 figures that are both 2/3 size and life-size reveal there is nothing passive about his work.

Diversified in his art albeit sculpting the human form, wildlife, or inanimate objects, Maestas couples his artistic vision with technical skill operating his own bronze casting foundry.  After studying architecture, he received his formal art education at Adams State College with a B.A. in Sculpture and Design.

In 1991 and 1995, Maestas was awarded the rare honor of a private audience with Pope John Paul II.  Commissioned works of art included fifteen Stations of the Cross maquettes for a meditation garden on the grounds of the Vatican Museum permanent collection, and an altar cross with adoration challis for the Pope’s private collection and San Andrea Della Valle Basilica in Rome, Italy.

Ranging from maquette to heroic size, his commissions include a 22’ Resurrection for St. Francis of Assisi Church in Castle Rock, CO, a 10’ Mary Queen of Peace for Santa Maria de la Paz Church in Santa Fe, NM, and currently, a life-size sculpture of fur trapper Marcelino Baca near the Riverwalk in Pueblo, CO. 

As a Liturgical artist and consultant, Maestas’ sculptures grace churches, hospitals, schools, and private and corporate collections across the country, including Denver Bronco John Lynch, Coach Dan Reeves, Cher, Adolph Coors Foundation, Peter Coors, US West Foundation, former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, and Appellate Court Judges of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, Archbishop Charles Chaput, and Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, among others.

Awards and publications comprise the Fra Angelico Artist Award, Best of Show Manitou Springs Outdoor Sculpture, Loveland Sculpture in the Park, and Artscape Sculpture Program, Lou Willie Award for Excellence in Sculpture, Colorado Arts Co-Visions Award, National Sculpture Society fellow, with features in Tradicion Revista, the New York Times, Washington Post, Modern Masters HGN-TV, The Early Show, The Today Show, Columbia magazine, and Lutheran magazine.

“I always paint from life. I believe it to be the ultimate in representational art because it is about real experience, and demands the highest level of skill. When you paint from life, the subject, the environment and you, interact as one together.”

STEPHANIE BIRDSALL received her formal training at the City and Guilds of London Art School in England. After graduation she spent time traveling through Europe honing her skills as a plein air painter. Upon her return to the United States, Stephanie continued her study under several master artists including Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik, David Leffel and Sherrie McGraw.

 In 2006 Stephanie was invited to join a group of painters under the tutelage of renowned artist Richard Schmid. This opportunity began an intense focus and rapid growth period. Painting for the last 15 years with Richard, and his wife Nancy Guzik and the others in this small group which has become known as the Putney Painters, has provided invaluable support and inspiration.

Stephanie and her work have been featured in publications such as International Artist Magazine, Southwest Art, Plein Air Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector and The Pastel Journal. Public Broadcasting Station (PBS), station WGCU aired a special on her work as part of their ”Expressions” television series. DVD’s featuring Stephanie’s work, including “How To Paint Flowers in Oil” have more then 165,000 views on YouTube. She has 3 DVD’s available from Northlight Publishing, and recently recorded a new oil painting DVD, “Lemons and Leaves” with Lilliedahl.

Stephanie’s work is among the permanent collections of the Museum of the Everglades, Everglades National Monument: Florida Museum of Art and Culture, the Florida State Art Collection and The Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. She has been honored with a one woman show at the Florida Museum of Art and Culture.

Her work has garnered recognition and more than 60 major awards in national and international juried exhibitions. She has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London, England, Bargemon, in France, and at the National Arts Club in New York. Among the awards she has received are Best in Show at the Bridgeport Museum of Arts and Science, the Grumbacher Gold Medallion Award, first place, the Florence Gleseman Floral Exhibition Salmagundi Club, the Degas Pastel Society Exceptional Merit Award, the Connecticut Pastel Society Herman Margulies Award and the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, John Manship Award. In 2004 her work was selected by the National Academy of the Arts for inclusion in the Arts for the Parks National Exhibition.

She is a Signature member of the Oil Painters of America, Signature member of the Salmagundi Club, a Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of America, and Master with the International Assoc. of Pastel Societies.

Stephanie is a distinguished workshop instructor. He goal is to help her students overcome their fears and become true artists. When not traveling on location to paint plein air, or teach, she spends her time working and teaching in her studio in Redding, Ct.

Her love affair with painting is well expressed by her words:

“I am constantly inspired by the beauty of this world, each moment is precious, infused with feeling and worthy of recording. I paint the moment. The instant a subject captures my attention; it is etched in my mind. Whether I am plein air painting in the Rockies, or in my studio, I work to convey the feeling of the moment. My life and soul are dedicated to art and I have been blessed with the freedom to live my life as an artist. There has never been anything else I wanted to be or do.”

REPRESENTED BY:

ILLUME GALLERY WEST,, Philipsburg, MT 435-849-8472

SAKS GALLERY  Denver CO    302-333-4144

BRUSHWORKS GALLERY,  Salt  Lake City UT   801-363-0600

SUSAN POWELL FINE ART  Madison CT    203-318-0616