Meet Dave

Dave began his relationship with the arts as he began to take drum lessons at the young age of 7.  That love of creating music established the foundation of his love for all the arts.  In about 1965, like most teens of that era, he joined a garage band.  That band is still active today and performs two or three times per year.  Since those drum lessons, Dave also took organ lessons and is currently learning to play the guitar.

After working 30 years as a teacher and a school counselor Dave retired in 2003.  He taught grades 3, 4, and 6 and in 1985 he became an elementary school counselor.  In 1991, he began working as a junior high school counselor and worked at that position until he retired.

In 1998, he began his study of watercolor with his teacher Larry Golba.  Dave and Larry are now very good friends an often paint together in Toledo, Ohio and in St. Pete Beach, Florida.  It wasn't until he retired in 2003, that he had the necessary time to devote to a more serious study of the visual arts.

Dave has studied drawing at the Toledo Museum of Art.  He furthered his study with a watercolor workshop with PBS artist Terry Madden.  Dave followed that with a workshop with nationally renowned, Tony Couch.  In the summer of 2005, he took a workshop with Wisconsin Oil Painter, Tom Nachreiner.  Most recently he completed a 5 day workshop with the nationally celebrated artist, Eric Wiegardt.   Eric was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal from the American Watercolor Society.

In about 2008 Dave expanded his media by venturing into the world of oil painting.  His good friend, Rick Dziak (OPA) mentored him through his first several oil paintings.  While his first love is watercolor, he occasionally paints in oil when the opportunity presents itself.  Rick and Dave often paint together, as well.

Dave is inspired by the beauty of transparent watercolor and the splendor of God's creations.  Frequently painting "en plein air" his goal is always to capture the mood, atmosphere and hues of the landscapes and sights which stimulate all of our senses.  He often paints birds and loves to try and capture the angle of their heads and the personality in their eyes.  Dave is also drawn to the colors and values presented in flowers.

For over 25 years Dave and his wife have vacationed in Pass a Grille Beach, Florida.  Recently, they've expanded their stays there and live there over six months of the year.  They own a "small condo" on the beach.  Pass a Grille is located on St. Pete Beach and overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.  You may often find Dave and his wife, Judy, on the balcony of their building in their special place.  The Gulf view is spectacular.  In summers - you may find them at Lakeside, Ohio, where Dave shows his work and often does painting demonstrations.