David Brown

BIOGRAPHY

A graduate and former faculty member of the Ontario College of Art and Design, David Brown has earned a following as one of Canada’s leading encaustic painters. David’s work has been shown at numerous galleries and museums throughout Canada and the U.S., his paintings are held in private and corporate collections, across North America, Europe, and Asia. Active in Toronto’s creative community, David convenes monthly expositions at the Gladstone Hotel to showcase works by emerging artists. He is a member of Visual Arts Ontario, CARFAC Ontario, and the Parkdale Village Arts Collective. David lives in downtown Toronto and works in his studio located in the historic Distillery District.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work is an exploration of colour, form, texture and medium. Most importantly though, it is a reflection of the environments that surround me. Each abstract composition captures moments of the Canadian experience. Urban culture and chaos juxtapose the breathtaking vistas of our rugged geography. Defining this landscape is to strike a balance between daily life as an urban nation against a majestic backdrop of natural splendour. I am inspired by the vastness and solitude of our land, and equally fascinated by human expression in the urban context.

I use the ancient encaustic technique to build contextual layers and sculpt varied surfaces on the canvas. This medium allows me to encapsulate found objects and to play with transparency. The entire process is physically demanding and stimulating to all the senses.

Initially it is the colours and textures that draw people to my work. Next the very act of seeing becomes all-consuming. Pigments glow from within the wax and images start to dance on the canvas. Perception changes as the audience shifts in physical proximity to the work. Different layers emerge and recede so the viewer is challenged to look from the outside inward and from the inside outward.

ABOUT ENCAUSTIC

Encaustic painting, is an ancient art form and was practiced by artists as far back as the 5th century B.C.. The word encaustic comes from Greek and means "to burn in", which refers to the process of fusing the paint. The technique uses heated wax to which coloured pigments are added. The molten wax is applied to a firm surface–usually prepared wood, paper or canvas.

Encaustic has a long history, but it is as versatile as any 20th century medium. Brushes are used to apply and shape the wax before it cools, then it can be polished to a high gloss, it can be modeled, sculpted, textured, and combined with collage materials. The wax cools immediately, so that there is no drying time, yet it can always be reworked. Encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass.

"But will it melt on a hot day?" I get asked this question all the time. The answer is No. The working temperature for the liquid wax is 225 degrees, so unless you are living in an oven the work will be fine hanging in your living room. But, just like any artwork, it is not a good idea to keep it in an area where it will be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.