Artist Statement
It has been a decade since I returned with renewed enthusiasm to painting as a way to satisfy my need for creative activity. This period has seen a tremendous growth in the availability of new materials and consequently new methods of application for visual artists, particularly in all forms of water media. Experimentation with these materials and methods has resulted in a gradual transitioned of my style of painting from realism to abstract. With the paintings chosen for this exhibit, I wanted to illustrate this transition, in particular to show how a painters style can change with time and under the influence of new materials.
To put the exhibit theme together, I have had to rely on the generosity of a number of patrons who have been kind enough to lend their paintings. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the following: Richard and Marilyn Peabody, Janet and Claudio Krickler, Mark and Susan McIntyre, Peter Turner, Angaila Smith, and Dr. Debra Lindsay.
Biography
David Reeves began painting in watercolour subsequent to graduation from the University of Toronto in 1976. He was educated as a professional engineer and has worked in that profession for more than 35 years while continuing to draw and paint. In the past few years he has devoted much of his time to creative interests. He lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick on the beautiful Kennebecasis River. David combines his painting with a love for music, sailing and sea kayaking. Seascape subjects appear frequently in his paintings.
David paints in watercolours, pastels, and acrylics frequently mixing the medias. The quality of his paintings has been achieved by hard work, determination, and a passion for art and creativity. This dedication was rewarded at the 2004 Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) “Open Water” national juried show held in Toronto, Ontario. He was awarded the H.K. Holbein Award for Innovative Use of Watercolour for his painting “Surfacing”.
David was elected as a member of the CSPWC as well as the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) in 2006. In 2009 David received two more awards. His painting “Night Descending on the Harbour” wasawarded the 4th Place Prize in the Pastel Journal’s annual international Pastel 100 competition. He also received a third place award at the Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Centre show “The Art of Food” for his watercolour “Strawberries and Beer for Peter”. More recently, at the fall 2012 SCA Elected Members Exhibition at the Halifax Club, Halifax, Nova Scotia, David was given an Award of Merit for the watercolour painting “Reflecting on Surplus Lighthouses”. This painting, as well as “Strawberries and Beer for Peter” and “Night Descending on the Harbour” will be part of this exhibition thanks the generosity of his patrons.