About David Stanley
David Stanley was born in the High Plains of the Texas panhandle.
From a young age, he was fascinated by the dramatic contrast between the tract environment of his hometown of Amarillo, and the seemingly endless surrounding grasslands.
The expanse of nature was often separated only by a dirt road, soon be paved, leading to another development that would swallow up and forever change another portion of his world.
David would often ride his bike to this “edge” to experience the many great rain and thunderstorms as they approached. The visions of dramatic, dark blue, water-laden skies pierced by flashes of lightning illuminating endless golden fields of grain, are David’s greatest memories of his youth.
Training & Influences
David’s love of nature and the human form compelled him to draw much of his life. Although he always had a sketch pad handy, he didn’t take art seriously until the age of 40.
In 1998, consumed by a growing passion and a new discovery of form, light and color, he quit his job and began his education and exploration into art at the Scottsdale Artist School in Arizona.
This era was an exciting time in the art world. Some of the greatest artists of this time were sharing and giving back to aspiring artists. David studied with some of these leaders, making new friendships and associations and opening a gateway into a whole new world.
David was fortunate to study with artists such as Don Stone, Matt Smith, Mark Daily, Kim English, Phil Beck, Ron Hicks, Doug Dawson, Quang Ho, Scott Christensen, Daniel Gerhartz, Richard Schmid, and many others.
David’s greatest inspirations came from Matt Smith, landscape mastery; Kim English and his many grueling classes of 5 minute paintings capturing the essence of light in a flash; Mark Daily learning to see and understand color; Richard Schmid, drawing, edges and value; and possibly most of all, Quang Ho for his ability to teach what makes a true work of art while emphasizing individual expression.
David also studied and is influenced by the Soviet Impressionists.
Shows & Awards
David Stanley’s paintings were accepted and included in the National Oil Painters of America Annual National Juried Exhibitions of Traditional Oils in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. He won the Art Distributors Award of Excellence at the 2002 National Show. David’s work was also included in the National Oil Painters of America Western Regional show in 2005.
In 2006, David received an Award of Excellence in the Taos Portrait Painters Annual Juried Show.