David Dunlop: An Inspiring Artist, Lecturer and Teacher

POSTED BY CAMERON SCHMITZ

As the curator of The Drawing Room Art Gallery, it’s an absolute delight to launch our first Solo Exhibit this October, in our new space, featuring David Dunlop’s work. 

I’ve been inspired by David Dunlop since the day that I met him, almost twenty five years ago, when I was probably eleven years old.  My mother was taking a painting class with David at the Silvermine Arts Center. My mother probably told David that I was a young, budding artist, and so he invited her and I to come over for a studio visit. That day will be forever etched in my brain. I clearly recall how much David worked, by the sheer amount of paintings that he was able to produce- that which he produced with sincere curiosity and sensitivity to light. His work glowed, and as a young artist, they Illuminated from within as if they were magic. 

Now, two decades later, as a painter, curator and painting instructor, I am ever the more inspired by David. He’s been a mentor to my mother, Karen Schmitz, my sister, Kenleigh Larock, (founder and co-owner of The Drawing Room), to me, and to countless artists and art enthusiasts around the country over the past 30 years. What’s astounding about David, beyond his truly remarkable and breathtaking paintings, is his incredibly generosity. This man is a ball of energy- bursting with a deep knowledge of art history, years of experience painting, and a contagious enthusiasm. He gladly shares every ounce of his being through painting, teaching, lecturing, and sharing. 

Interested in perception and the visual phenomenon of light, motion and reflection, David creates luminous, emotive works in which direct, loose and painterly marks are exceedingly vivid in their contemporary realism.  His work extends from expansive landscapes, ephemeral scenes of Grand Central Station and Times Square to his most recent scenes of fleeting moments on shimmering, sandy beaches and vibrant motifs of flowers.

Born in St. Louis, David Dunlop attended the College of Wooster, majoring in Philosophy and English Literature. After extensive travels through Europe, studies at the Art Students League, and a concentration in Printmaking at Robert Blackburn’s Studio in New York, David went on to receive his MFA from Pratt Institute.

In the late 1970’s David moved to Connecticut where he began teaching at Silvermine Arts Center, where he continues to teach today. David travels throughout the country and internationally, teaching and lecturing at prestigious museums and art centers, sharing his personal research, knowledge, passion on the history of art and how one can learn to combine modern techniques and classical traditions with a contemporary approach.

He is the host and writer of the Emmy Award-winning PBS Series, “Landscapes Through Time with David Dunlop, directed and produced by Connie Simmons of Simmons Art.

Well-versed in art history, philosophy, painting and the science of visual perception, David is without a doubt a modern-day master, whose work we are honored to share and feature here, at The Drawing Room.

David Dunlop's work will be featured in our Art Gallery, October 10, 2015- January 9, 2016. 

Please join us for David's Artist Talk on October 10, starting at 6pm, directly followed by an Artist's Reception, celebrating this remarkable artist and his recent work!

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- Cameron Schmitz, Curator