
The
old adage, “Art imitates life,” could not be a more true description of how
profound and true Brian Davis’ work is.Known for his special attention to
light and detail, Mr. Davis’ primary subjects are florals and landscapes.
Born in California in 1946, Brian Davis was raised by musician parents to
appreciate all things artistic and, staying true to his upbringing, has
always loved painting. Art is his passion. It is the muse with which he
creates his colorful true to life florals.
Although magnificent flowers and landscapes are the main choice for his
compositions, Mr. Davis explains, "The actual job of making an arresting
piece of art has nothing to do with what the thing is."He transforms
exquisite roses, calla lilies, and dahlias into romantic, compelling images
with sharpness, color, movement, edge and light.
Before he begins his masterpieces, Mr. Davis spends extensive time
researching and scouting for a flower or scene that catches his eye. He
carries a camera everywhere so he can shoot a subject at any moment. Since
flowers wilt so quickly, and it can take weeks to complete a painting, he
has found a way to create a floral image from a series of different shots
for each flower. Therefore, he does not do an exact botanical rendering, but
alters colors and leaves at will.
Mr. Davis believes that the depth of his art is derived from paying
attention to the subtle shifts in value - relative dark and light. He is
often asked if there is a light source behind his paintings, to which he
responds, "The light is the real subject of my work. The flower is the
stage, the light is the dancer." Using two hanging mirrors to view the
unfinished painting at all angles, he works daily in his studio surrounded
by books, music, and historical videos.
Mr. Davis is a true artist with vast understanding and knowledge of art. "My
art, like all art, is at its core a form of communication that is not easily
translated into words - good art transcends words." It is his hope that
viewers look at his works and respond, for then they are hearing his voice,
understanding his concept of what is worth creating. His paintings are a
fascinating group of images that allow the viewer to feel and recognize the
nature of light - the essence of a Brian Davis painting.