DAVID MICHAEL SMITH

STATEMENT

My paintings and drawings are firmly based in classical rendering but incorporate elements of surrealism and the fantastic.  This arises from my desire to connect with the viewer on both a visual and emotional level. I have long been interested in the concept of beauty, in all its power, its varied forms, its seductive danger and pure innocence. My work is often characterized by a “beautiful” surface, which disguises a more unsettling subtext.

Painting is my way of writing a novel or making a movie. My work is strongly narrative, even if the story is not defined for the viewer. I don’t shy away from the dramatic or the sentimental as kitsch. In fact, I exploit it to tell a story and evoke an air of melancholy and wistfulness.

I am drawn to oil paint as a medium both because of its historical context and the lush surface that it affords. I take the time to make the surface seductively beautiful and often hand make elaborate frames so the work exists as an “experience”, rather than just a two-dimensional image.

My work follows a tradition of storytelling. I draw from several sources -- from historical figures and events to religious symbolism and contemporary pop culture. Each painting provides a glimpse into a darkly beautiful world where the viewer’s imagination is encouraged.

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