Artists to Know: David Bates

Born in Dallas, Texas, David Bates became a noted realistic figure and narrative painter at a time when Abstract Expressionism was all-prevailing.  However, he has been influenced by modernism including the painting of Vincent Van Gogh, German Expressionism and American Expressionist, Marsden Hartley.  He later added abstract sculpture to his pursuits, working in painted wood and painted bronze.

"Most of my paintings and sculptures are worked out through a series of drawings. The work often retains the evidence of these beginnings. Colored pencil drawing always seems a fresh start for a new image. In my recent efforts at Tamarind, I tried to use a method of building the prints as if they were this kind of drawing. Collage and paint were also used in one edition (Apple Blossom) which altered it dramatically. These ways of working make the process as direct and fresh as possible." -David Bates