Kokomo native Douglas David is an immensely talented painter, teacher and designer. His interest in art began at home drawing and attending art fairs with his mother, Bertie, who is an artist herself. He later attended Herron School of Art, studying Visual Communication, graduating with honors. Douglas worked his way up to creative director at Melvin Simon, however, he subsequently left and opened his own graphic design studio. While working as a graphic designer, he always had the desire to paint full time and spent much of his free time painting. Summer classes with Frank Mason of New York’s Art Students League gave him the foundation and skills to mold his dreams of painting full time into reality. He continued to refine his loose, fluid brushwork and signature palette of harmonious blues and violets.

Douglas has painted his way across the country, capturing the beauty and spirit of the things he loves - tranquil country landscapes, sunrises and sunsets on his favorite beaches, a simple pitcher of spring lilacs or peonies, a lemon, lime or a slice of watermelon on a checked tablecloth. Paintings that reflect comfort, warmth, meaning and simplicity: similar to everything important to him - his close knit family, life-long friendships, creatively fulfilling work and giving his best.

This vision, passion, and dedication to painting has garnered Douglas numerous regional and national awards. In 2001, his design was chosen by popular vote as the Indiana license plate. Douglas was awarded the Distinguished Hoosier Award in 2006.

He is a member of several professional organizations including the Southern Vermont Art Center, Salmagundi Club of New York, Indiana Plein Air Painters, Indiana Artists, Naples Art Association, IU Alumni Association/Herron School of Art, Palette & Chisel Academy/Chicago, Bryan Memorial Gallery of Vermont, Kokomo Art Association and is a Signature Member of the Hoosier Salon.

His paintings have found their way into public and private collections in Indiana and across the country. Currently, his painting “Red, White and Blue Peonies” decorates the sunroom of the vice president’s residence, Number One Observatory Circle, in Washington, D.C.

Douglas currently teaches workshops in drawing and oil painting in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Vermont, and his home state of Indiana. Teaching is his way of giving back and sharing some of his journey with those who choose to study with him.

Douglas David Fine Art/Gallery & Studio is open by appointment and located at 7172 N. Keystone Avenue, Indianapolis. Information on art and classes may be found at www.douglasdavid.com.

The Kokomo Art Association is privileged to have a Douglas David painting in our permanent collection to share with the community. The warmth and unmistakable beauty of his art is an inspiration.

Kokomo Art Center is located at 525 West Ricketts, on the grounds of Highland Park. Exhibit runs now through September 16th and hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1-4pm.

Three talented Hoosier artists - whose works feature local Indianapolis landscapes, seasons, and a blend of dreams and reality - will be on display this winter at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

The Indianapolis Airport Authority and the Arts Council of Indianapolis have selected artists Douglas David, Derrick Carter and Benny Sanders to be featured at the Indy Airport beginning Nov. 13, through March 11. All three artists focus on representational art - creations with images that are clearly recognizable, even though the image may not be true to life.

“Passengers and airport visitors will particularly enjoy the stylistic contrast between the work of Douglas David and Derrick Carter,” said Julia Muney Moore, director of public art with the Arts Council of Indianapolis. “They are almost as opposite as two artists can be, but both root their work in the real world.”

Local artists have had their works displayed at the Indy airport since the opening of the midfield terminal in 2008, as part of IAA’s commitment to connect travelers to the local Indianapolis culture and community.

“Customer experience is crucial to the Indy airport’s top standing among airports worldwide,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA’s executive director. “This exhibition provides a visually rich customer experience that provokes thought, encourages discussion, and expands thinking - and that’s what travel does as well. Both art and travel open the mind and enrich the individual.”

Experienced artist Douglas David takes an impressionistic approach to his work featuring Indiana’s landscape through the four seasons. His work will mesmerize travelers with vibrant colors capturing the beauty of local scenery.

Derrick Carter blends dreams with reality to interweave pop-culture figures with visions from his own mind, encouraging onlookers to live life unrestricted. Carter uses sand as his medium to combine his graphic design training and penchant for fine art to create visually intriguing pieces.

Self-taught artist Benny Sanders’ sketches depict the downtown stretch of the White River in monumental scale, using only charcoal on canvas. Sanders’s elemental work showcases the body of water - a subject that has fascinated artists for over a hundred years - in a dark and ominous manner.

The exhibitions debut Nov. 12, with pieces by David and Carter displayed in the Ticket Hall. Sander’s work is located in the Concourse B Exhibition Case.

Public art displays - in both public and post-security areas of the airport - are curated in a partnership with the Arts Council of Indianapolis. The IAA and Arts Council work collaboratively to review and select artwork that is reflective of the Indianapolis art community. This partnership allows for art exhibitions to be displayed every quarter, with up to 12 different exhibitions presented each year.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Indianapolis International Airport to provide travelers with this important first impression of our city,” said Dave Lawrence, president & CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. “The city has one of the top airports in the country and partnerships like this make the airport uniquely Indianapolis.”

Join the oil painting workshop - with Douglas David

Staff report

This spring, artist Douglas David will lead a three-day oil painting workshop at the Holland Area Arts Council. The event will take place Apri1 29-May 1.

David has painted his way across the country, capturing the beauty of the things he loves - country landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, his favorite beaches, a pitcher of spring lilacs or peonies, a lemon, lime or slice of watermelon on a checkered tablecloth. He strives to produce paintings that reflect comfort, warmth and simplicity. A recipient of many regional and national awards and honors, David teaches to share his journey.

Students aged 18 and older will spend the weekend practicing their craft alongside this professional artist. This workshop will cover the basic principles of oil painting as students paint florals and still life fruits and vegetables.

David will lead discussions on basic composition, massing, building form, light and shadow, and depending on your style, knowing when a work is finished. Students will work in their own style, but David will overview his palette and the concepts his work entails. He delivers sound principles of painting that are an essential foundation for any painting practice, beginning or seasoned.

A resident of Indianapolis, David has been painting full time for more than 20 years, studying the palette of the late Frank Vincent DuMond under Frank Mason of The Art Students League of New York. For more information about David, visit his website www.douglasdavid.com.

This is the third workshop Douglas David has hosted at the Holland Area Arts Council. Each class has approached a different subject matter and allows artists to work in their own style while learning from an encouraging instructor.

Students will meet at the Holland Area Arts Council at 150 E. Eighth Street in Downtown Holland. Call (616) 396-3278 or go online to www.hollandarts.org for more information and to register.

Douglas David showing one of his paintings at the annual holiday party at Douglas David Fine Art, 7172 N. Keystone Avenue.

It’s the way they view the world, abstractly in colors of red and blue, or pastoral scenes and paintings of cows and sheep.
That and hand-made jewelry and clothes were some of the work the artists displayed at the North Shore Art League’s Art in the Village show held Saturday-Sunday, June 27-28, at the Hubbard Woods Park in Winnetka.

Artist Douglas David (left) receives an honorable mention from Winnetka’s Linda Nelson, the executive director of North Shore Art League, at Art in the Village Saturday, June 27, in Winnetka. Photos by Jill Dunbar/22nd Century Media - See more at: www.winnetkacurrent.com/local-artists-present-work-art-village#sthash.2kfrxfjr.jStv1MOa.dpuf.

Douglas David displays one of his paintings at the annual Holiday Show at Douglas David Fine Art, 7172 Keystone Avenue.

The past weekend in Indy was exceptional for many reasons. First and foremost, Nov. 7 brought three local art icons to the surface for First Friday. Douglas David, known for his fine art and designing the Indiana state license plate, exhibited 24 new works within the City Gallery/Harrison Center. Kyle Ragsdale filled the main gallery with fresh works that were inspired from his recent retreat to the prestigious Vermont Studio Center.

At iMOCA’s Fountain Square gallery, the sometimes elusive artist Paul Harris showed a 3D assemblage titled “Wanderlust.” His first show in nine years is one not to miss.

With the evening still young, we skated over to the Indiana Roof Ballroom where the annual Ronald McDonald House fundraiser was underway. Congratulations to Michelle Study-Campbell, who was named the new CEO of the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana. The event raised more than $160,000.

On Nov. 8, the Metropolitan Opera National Council (Central Region) held its Indiana District Auditions at the Hilbert Circle Theater. On hand was Grammy winner and Indiana University senior lecturer Sylvia McNair.

“Using an impressionistic palette with a harmonious combination of colors, I use a fresh, loose style to capture the timeless, simple beauty of the things I love: peonies, lilacs, landscapes, cityscapes and seascapes,” says David. Natural beauty, warmth and depth ... these are reflections of an artist who is enjoying his journey.

A graduate of Indiana University’s Herron School of Art, Douglas’ career has evolved from working in the field of advertising as a corporate creative director, to owning his own advertising and design firm, to where he is and wants to be today, painting full time.

His painting too, has evolved over the past 10 years, with his study of the classic approach to impressionistic painting with New York’s Frank Mason/New York Art Students League and his study of the principles of classic painting of the late artist Frank Vincent DuMond.

NEW BUFFALO - The third New Buffalo ARTigras will feature the works of local and regional artists along with live music along portions of Merchant and Thompson treets in downtown New Buffalo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29.

An adjacent stretch of Mechanic Street, closed for the 2013 event, will remain open this year, providing access to the downtown and beach areas.

This year’s ARTigras almost didn’t happen, but a group of New Buffalo Business Association volunteers led by Cathi Rogers wouldn’t take “no ARTigras” for an answer.

Rogers, recently named president of the New Buffalo Business Association (NBBA), also is a board member for the Harbor Country Public Initiative who oversees that organization’s annual wintertime Bird House Auction and serves as Marketing Director for the Michiana Humane Society. She also has organized large events and conferences for her two companies, Blackbook Connections and WCGuru.com.

“I talked to some of the (NBBA) board members who knew me and knew that I’d put on events before for the Humane Society and other non-profits in Indiana and Illinois... by sitting on the board for the Harbor Country Public Arts Initiative I clearly know a lot of artists,” she said. “So I said, Yeah, I’ll be more than happy to take this over.”

The previous year’s ARTigras had brought in more than 100 artists, mostly from out of the area. Rogers said the goal for the 2014 edition was to stay closer to home in several ways. “I really wanted to stay local and regional. I appreciate what we had done (the first two years), but that was from an outside production company (Amdur Productions)... so I wanted to make sure we really focused on the flavor of the Harbor Country area,” she said.

Amdur was originally set to organize this year’s ARTigras with the NBBA as its co-sponsor, but another ARTigras show scheduled for the same weekend in the Chicago area made it difficult to fill the New Buffalo with the desired number of artists.

The New Buffalo Business Association had co-sponsored the first two events. Taking over sole control of the re-tooled 2014 ARTigras, Rogers said the goal was to enlist about 40 artists over three months - an expectation has ended up being exceeded. “We have 61 artists,” she noted. “All of them are within about a 20- to 30-mile radius.”

In addition to people from close-by communities like New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Harbert and Bridgman, Rogers said artists from locales such as Stevensville, Buchanan, La Porte, Michigan City and Chesterton. Traveling the furthest will be participants from Wisconsin and Indianapolis.

Among the artists and establishments scheduled to have booths at the New Buffalo ARTigras are: Susan Henshaw, Fritz Olsen and Martha Cares, Ronald Stec, Lisa Hermann, Covert Family Photography, “Sand Pirate” Janet Schrader, Vida Svabas, Brian Kissman, Julie Nitz, Hook Pottery Paper, Millie’s Antiques, Brenda McKnight, Sweet Pea Studio, Sue Rosengard, Leah Sherman, Dorothy Hughes, Heather Hanson, Jamie Johnson, Cathy Brown Designs, Hailee Hansen, Robert Williams, Brett Maniscalco, Airika and Max Kolenda, Harold Rutenberg, Don Brown, George Hermelink, James Andert, Laurie Schirmer Carpenter, Phyllis Norris and Justin Troisi.

A Chalk Art demonstration by New Buffalo High School art students also is planned.

Rogers said a committee composed of Roger Harvey, Kim Pruitt and Tim Rogers reviewed artists applying to participate in the event. She said first, second and third prizes will be awarded for ARTigras, with the judges being Bob Tibble, Pruitt and Tim Rogers. “Bringing it in-house has been an opportunity for us to make sure that the marketing is localized. We’re talking to the businesses, instead of bringing outside food vendors in, we’re working with the restaurants that are on the strip on Whittaker Street (including David’s Deli, Casey’s New Buffalo, Bewster’s Italian Cafe, The Stray Dog Bar & Grill, Nancy’s, Michigan Thyme Cafe and Villa Nova Pizzeria). We’re making sure this is a city event as opposed to just blocking off a couple streets and saying no one else is really involved in it,” Rogers said.

Live music will be presented on both days in the New Buffalo Savings Bank Parking Lot along Mechanic Street Those scheduled to perform include Cleve “Hurricane” Jean Jacques, Josh McCormack and Don Savoie.

Another new feature is a gallery and artisan tour map that will be available throughout the area and on the ARTigras grounds. Rogers said it gives directions to 32 Harbor Country galleries, custom furniture makers, jewelry shops and other art-related entities that are within both walking and driving distance so festival-goers can explore even more of what the local art scene has to offer. The Artisan Tour map covers the communities of New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Sawyer and Three Oaks.

“It’s a nice tour,” she said. “It gives you a whole weekend of art.”

Rogers said NBBA members who helped her get things organized include Rose Strother (the organization’s immediate past president), Dee Dee Duhn, Migs Murray, Julie Westergren and her husband, Tim Rogers. Volunteers from the New Buffalo Area Schools wrestling program are slated to help set up and tear down the booths and other equipment. Volunteers from HCPAI, the New Buffalo Arts Council also are in line to assist.

Rogers noted that the Michiana Humane Society is sponsoring a “Meet and Greet” event featuring adoptable pets from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Keller-Williams Real Estate office near the ARTigras grounds along Mechanic Street (next to the Subway Restaurant).

For more on the 2014 New Buffalo ARTigras, go to newbuffalo.org/event/view/artigras1.

Plein air painter Douglas David stands on the shore of Lake Michigan near Frankfort. David will be demonstrating his techniques at the 6th Annual Art Walk at Wau-Ke-Na on the William Erby Smith Preserve, in Fennville.

PLEIN ART ARTISTS TO FEATURE WORK AT WAU-KE-NA ART WALK

GLENN – On a recent trip to Lake Michigan, I took a photo of the lake. I was hoping to capture the beauty, the grandeur of a Great Lake on a summer’s day. What I got was a photo of the lake, and that’s about it.

Indianapolis painter Douglas David knows the problem. “The man I studied with for 11 years up in New England, Frank Mason... he always used to call the camera ‘the one-eyed liar,’ because, he’d say, it misses it, it edits it out. What it does is, it flattens out everything, and you don’t get that atmosphere, that haze, the space between,” he said.

David is a plein air artist, a painter who works out in nature to capture not just the scenery, but the spirit of what he sees, he said. He’ll be the special guest painter of the 6th Annual Art Walk at Wau-Ke-Na on Saturday at the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s William Erby Smith Preserve in Fennville.

Plein Air Artists of West Michigan will be on site to paint, show and sell their work. David will be joining them. He hopes to paint on the Lake Michigan shore, but the Wau-Ke-Na also offers ponds, streams, forests, wetlands and prairie scenes to capture.

When taking his easel and palette out, David’s goal is to “grab the atmosphere, grab the distance, grab the colors. The colors of all that water – it’s just so beautiful up there,” he said.

“When I’m painting out there, I’m trying to grab the spirit of it.”

David studied graphic design and worked in design and advertising for 15 years. Then, 20 years ago, he began “my second career” as a painter.

In his impressionistic paintings, David tries for the “fresh and spontaneous. I don’t like paintings that are overworked,” he said.

But then, in on-the-spot painting of outdoor scenes, one can’t spend time on details. A plein air painter has “only a couple (of) hours. After that, the light has changed,” he said.

Plein air painter Douglas David captures the shore of Lake Michigan near Frankfort. David will demonstrate his techniques at the sixth annual Art Walk on Saturday at Wau-Ke-Na on the William Erby Smith Preserve, in Fennville.

PLEIN AIR ARTIST DOUGLAS DAVID TO BE SPECIAL GUEST AT WAU-KE-NA ART WALK

GLENN – On a recent trip to Lake Michigan, I took a photo of the lake. I was hoping to capture the beauty, the grandeur of a Great Lake on a summer’s day. What I got was a photo of the lake, and that’s about it.

Indianapolis painter Douglas David knows the problem. “The man I studied with for 11 years up in New England, Frank Mason... he always used to call the camera ‘the one-eyed liar,’ because, he’d say, it misses it, it edits it out. What it does is, it flattens out everything and you don’t get that atmosphere, that haze, the space between,” he said.

David is a plein air artist, a painter who works out in nature to capture not just the scenery, but the spirit of what he sees, he said. He’ll be the special guest painter of the sixth annual Wau-Ke-Na Art Walk on Saturday at the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s William Erby Smith Preserve in Fennville.

Plein Air Artists of West Michigan will be on site to paint, show and sell their work. David will be joining them. He hopes to paint on the Lake Michigan shore, but the Wau-Ke-Na also offers ponds, streams, forests, wetlands and prairie scenes to capture.

When taking his easel and palette out, David’s goal is to “grab the atmosphere, grab the distance, grab the colors. The colors of all that water – it’s just so beautiful up there,” he said.

“When I’m painting out there, I’m trying to grab the spirit of it.”

David studied graphic design and worked in design and advertising for 15 years. Then, 20 years ago, he began “my second career” as a painter.

In his impressionistic paintings, David tries for the “fresh and spontaneous. I don’t like paintings that are overworked,” he said. But then, in on-the-spot painting of outdoor scenes, one can’t spend time on details. A plein air painter has “only a couple (of) hours. After that, the light has changed,” he said.

He’s out in the elements – David has done winter paintings as well as summer.

He enjoys the challenge of plein air. His job is to capture “the heart and soul of the place” in a couple of hours.

David’s favorite scenes radiate “tranquility and calm. Maybe that’s why I like Lake Michigan.”

The Seiberling Mansion is home to more than history. It’s the home to beauty. The magnificent mansion is filled with historical art that adorns the walls. So, the newest summertime event at the Seiberling is a perfect fit for its artistry.

The inaugural Garden pARTy will play host to paint, canvas and hometown charm as local artist Douglas David will reveal a painting he donated to the Howard County Historical Society during the event.

The grand unveiling is part of a bigger picture, one that aims to raise money for the Howard County Historical Society to help rehab and restore historical art for the community to enjoy.

Peggy Hobson, special events committee chairperson, said the Seiberling Mansion is the perfect spot to hang art rich in meaning and tradition. The Garden pARTy will showcase just that as it kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Friday with wine and cheese, the serenade of a harpist and an atmosphere of elegance.

However, Hobson said, the spirit of the event is the history that lives in the paintings and architecture of the Seiberling, and that’s something everyone can enjoy.

“Whether you’re interested in art or just history, the Seiberling Mansion is our art history – it’s art history for us,” Hobson said. “In school, kids are exposed to politics, business and disaster history. All along, no matter what was going on, there’s been creativity and art that’s told our history. It’s that art that’s important to keep alive in small towns because it keeps our history alive. Art is an artifact, something of history we need to keep.”

Although sipping pinot to help repair paintings is tantalizing for the tongue, the weekend festivities will also provide plenty of entertainment for eyes and ears.

“Douglas David will be hosting a demonstrative painting session that night and people will be able to look around at paintings that are 75 years old displayed throughout the mansion,” Hobson said.

As the artsy weekend continues, guests can try their hand at painting on canvas at the front steps of the Seiberling Saturday afternoon while sampling wine and cheese for Paint at the Seiberling from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Dave Broman, Howard County Historical Society executive director, said inviting people into the mansion to experience and engage in the arts world is something crucial for Kokomo.

“Educating and teaching people to be creative and learn about art is something we’re happy to host at the Seiberling; what better place to showcase a piece of art than in a piece of art itself, which is the Seiberling,” Broman said about the architecturally ornate building.

Broman said whether guests stroll through the former home’s halls, listen to the event’s harpist or pick up a brush to create something all their own, it’s a community event that focuses on the beauty of art.

“We’re always happy to introduce the Seiberling and its history to new people, then to give them the opportunity to see artwork. It’s an exciting way to encourage people to come back and enjoy the beauty of the Seiberling or see it for the first time,” he said. “It’s a place that has a remarkable history and we’ll have art to showcase with similar histories.”

Style surrounds us. Fashion, architecture, literature, music and art – they all carry their distinctive version of style. People have it too, in what they wear, their manners, even a presence or how they carry themselves.

Your home is an extension of your personal style. It’s a mirror that reflects what’s comfortable for you. Whether it’s a period style, a catalog style, an eclectic style or a style an interior designer gave you or helped you develop, your home projects a way of living you’re comfortable with.

Just as we use different elements, such as hair, clothing and attitude, to develop our overall personal styles, many elements play a role in developing your home’s style.

Current trends and popular lifestyles during a given time period all show up in our homes.

Popular, trendy colors and fabrics, furniture styles such as classic traditional or contemporary modern, realistic, abstract or impressionistic artwork – they’re all elements you bring in to play to showcase your style. They’re snapshots of your taste.

It’s the combination of these individual styles – and how you assemble all the elements – that makes up your overall style. It’s an opportunity to tell your story and leave guests with a sense of who you are. That’s why your home should include things that make you comfortable, that stir warm thoughts and memories... things that you love.

In dance, smooth and flowing tends to be more enjoyable than forced and staged. It’s no different with your home. This usually shows through when you allow yourself to choose the things you’re naturally drawn to.

If you connect with it, it will work in your home. Whether it’s a quirky chair, a great antique or a painting that spoke to you, following your heart allows you to discover and hopefully embrace, your style.

Douglas David knows all about following his heart and discovering his style. It’s led to a following of patrons from across the U.S. who have embraced the loose, fluid style of his work. He paints what he loves, using his signature palette of a harmonious blend of blues and violets, to showcase his subjects’ simple, natural beauty.

“Following my heart has given me the chance to connect with people. Every connection is a confirmation I’m doing exactly what I should be. Who could ask for more?”