Visual Language Magazine Contemporary Fine Art March 2014 Vol 3 No 3

ARTSPAN Artist Spotlightartspan
David Francis
When did you realize you loved art and wanted to be an artist
It sounds cliché, but it seems like I have always loved to draw. One of my earliest memories
is waiting for my father to finish the Sunday newspaper, so that I could sit down and start
copying the funnies.
Who has been your mentor, or greatest influence to date
I was fortunate that when I started creating art (in my 30’s, kind of a late start) I met three
people that were very influential in my early art career. The first was Joan Reid who taught
an adult education art class, she introduced me to Ron Peer, a local portrait and landscape
artist. He was always very patient with my early attempts, and managed to find something
good in them while giving me constructive criticism. The third is Trudi Smith. She is a signature
member with Pastel Society of America and she pushed me to apply for membership
with the group, even to the point of selecting the pieces that I submitted for jurying. I was
thrilled and surprised when I received signature status on that first application.
Who is another living artist you admire and why
I have several artists that I admire today and follow their work on social media sites. Anthony
Waichulis for his tromp l’oeil still lifes, Robert C. Jackson for his incredible still life set ups
and the interplay of his subjects, Teresa Fischer for the incredible still life paintings of old
toys, my favorite subject matter. I also follow the work of Patricia Tribastone, a fellow pastel
artist with incredible skills. All of these artists, along with being accomplished painters, have
the ability to inject a sense of humor and fun into their work, along with telling a story.
What is your favorite surface to create work on or to work with Describe it if you
make it yourself.
My favorite surface to work on is Pastelbord, made by Ampersand. It is a Masonite board
with a surface of gesso and marble dust. This surface holds a lot of pastel and holds up well
to blending, and multiple layering techniques. I love the fact that it comes in standard sizes
from 5x7 to 24x36 and that when a pastel is finished, you can frame it immediately, using
spacers between the artwork and the glass.
What are your favorite materials to use
I have been a pastel artist for the last 30 some years. As most pastellists, I am not brand
loyal. I look for color, hardness/softness, and availability. So, currently on my work table are
Rembrandts, Giraults, Unisons, Terry Ludwigs, and Derwent and Conte pastel pencils.
Do you have a favorite color palette
I don’t really have a favorite palette. It really depends on the subject matter and it changes
from painting to painting. I do tend to favor a lot of the earth tones for backgrounds and
whatever my still lifes are sitting on.
http://www.defrancispastels.com/
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