April 2020

After a great 11th Winter Season teaching many Drawing and Painting Workshops throughout FL, I completed Painting Workshop #14 in Boca Grande on 3/14/20. Various developments in the crisis and the National Emergency were unfolding around us each of the 3 days as we were painting and learning. Even though that seems like long ago, and it was an uncertain time for all of us, it was a successful time in class and it was so exciting to be back on Gasparilla Island and catch up with some friends/students.

On Monday, 3/16/20, my last 4 workshops on my Winter Tour 2020 in FL were postponed/ canceled due to the National Emergency with COVID-19. As my FL home lease was paid through the end of March, I decided to stay put and paint and get some rest until the end of the month. Of course that was not easy as things were changing with new developments and restrictions every day, but I did stay safe and got some amazing new paintings done and will be adding them to my website soon.

On April 1st, I ventured north just as the Governor of FL was announcing Shelter in Place for the State of FL. I made it into IN on April 2 and am now home and unpacking. I was greeted by magnolias blooming at my home which is always one of my most favorite parts of Spring.

My studio is fine, as my bookkeeper had everything in great order for my return. I will be happy to schedule appointments at my studio to see my newest paintings as soon as Governor Holcomb gives the OK for businesses to re-open.

I am hopeful that I will be able to reschedule some of the Workshops that were canceled this March later in the fall or add them into my Winter Tour 2021. So if you had signed up, keep an eye on my website for links to re-register. And If you have questions about applying paid registrations or refunds, or any other registration related questions, be sure to contact the various venues that I partner with as they will have specific information and details. It is an odd time for all of us, but we will navigate through.

Many shows and exhibitions have also been postponed or canceled. Stay safe and know that we will all be “back in the saddle” as soon as we get things with this pandemic contained. Be patient, be safe and know that things will all work out.

I participated in the Art at the Indianapolis International Airport temporary art program early in 2018. It was great fun. (I always enjoy the programs our Indianapolis Arts Council organizes and operates and try my best to participate.) Special thanks go out to Katie Norman/Indianapolis Airport Authority, Lindsey Lord and Julia Mooney-Moore/Indianapolis Arts Council, and Amy Carroll and Christopher Carroll for their help with the program.

I am pleased that 2 of my Indiana Dunes paintings left my studio in 2017 for a journey to Africa. The paintings will be hanging in an exhibition at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone for the next few years. AIE has a public diplomacy mission achieved through cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts. One way they realize this is through the exhibiting artwork in the public spaces of U.S. Embassies abroad, specifically in the U.S. Ambassadors’ residences. The Ambassadorial residences serve as the center for official state functions overseas, and the exhibitions become a part of the Ambassadors’ cultural mission. For these exhibitions, they strive to curate themes which foster dialogue and provide platforms for cultural outreach. I was very honored to be asked by Imtiaz Hafiz, Curator of Art In Embassies/U.S. Department of State to participate in the program and the new Ambassador, Maria E. Brewer was especially excited to have my paintings of the Dunes as she grew up in Indiana.

As seen in USA TODAY, August 23, 2018.

I delivered a peony painting to the residence of the Vice President of the United States the summer of 2017 and still get some press from time to time as noted above. I am very honored and so excited to be included in their collection! Here is the tweet Second Lady, Karen Pence sent the day I dropped off the painting.

I cannot say it enough, thanks to all who support and encourage me along this journey. Hope to see you soon!

Douglas David

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