"All art is but imitation of nature" Seneca
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David Michael Weiss was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1970. He was raised in the quaint community of Denison, Iowa. At a very young age David was interested in art and nature. He spent a lot of his time fishing and sketching on his Grandma’s farm. His parents were both biology professors and they helped groom his appreciation of the natural world. They would spend parts of their summers exploring the landscapes and coastlines of America. These early experiences helped develop David’s love for nature that would become his current works. His art focus through high school was on illustration and commercial design. After high school he attended Metro college in Omaha for graphic art. Later he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study advertising. David started his own commercial design business in 1992. His clients came to include some of the top companies in America such as McDonalds, Goodyear, Hy-Vee, Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
Always weighing on David’s heart was a passion to become a fine artist. David made a vow to pursue a strong regimen of art workshops to teach himself oil painting. At one of these workshops he met master oil painter Christine Verner. Christine lay the foundation of color and design that aided David in developing his distinctive style. He intermixes the palette knife with his brushes to achieve his luminescent effects. David has also used plein air painting and the study of nature to find these unique color combinations. Over a period of six years he spent part of his year training with Christine while still running his design business. David was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Europe three times, each time learning more about the old masters while developing his own skills.
David has been blessed with a great wife, Tracy, and two wonderful children, Grant and Chelsie. They have provided encouragement along with his family as he pursues his dreams. His extended family has moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia and Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia giving David the perfect opportunity to paint the marine, landscape, and wildlife art that makes him so happy. He also spends time in Yellowstone and the Tetons searching for intimate settings that inspire him. While David is still grounded in the heartland, these different destinations give him a broad range of subject matter. “I love the prairie, the mountains, and the sea. I try to find beauty in all of God’s and man’s creations and to express that on the canvas. My paintings are but simple moments in time. From the row boat to a single pelican, I want people to find a certain sense of peace when they view my works."
Education
1990-1991 Metropolitan Community College
1991-1992 University of Nebraska, Lincoln
1998-2004 Apprenticeship, master oil painter Christine Verner
Professional Experience
1992-2005 Owned and operated professional design business
Clients included: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Burger King,
HyVee, Travel and Transport, Wells Fargo Bank, and
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Exhibits and Awards
2001- Western Iowa Mural Project, Walnut, IA
2003- AZAD National Zoo Conference, Omaha, NE
2005- Arts for the Parks, national show, Jackson, WY
2005- Plein Air: In the Tradition of the Impressionists, Sunderland Gallery
-selected with two other artists for this show, Omaha, NE
2005- Selected as finalist in November Raymar art contest
2006- Southeast Oklahoma Artist Assoc. 1st place for oil painting in Art Festival
2006- Arts for the Parks, national show, Jackson, WY
2006- Paint America Top 100. Two paintings selected
2006- En Plein Air Corning, demo and show, Corning, IA
2006- Soaring Wings Wine and Art Festival, Springfield, NE
2006- One-Man show SkipJack Nautical Wares, Portsmouth, VA
2006- Gilcrease Museum’s American Art in Miniature, Tulsa, OK
2007- OPA Regional show, Topeka, KS
2007- Gilcrease Museum's American Art in Miniature, Tulsa, OK
2007- Selected as a finalist in April and July Raymar art contest
2007- 28th International Marine Art Exhibit at the Mystic Seaport Museum
Gallery
2008- Southeast Wildlife Exposition, Charleston South Carolina
2008- OPA Western Regional Show
Workshops
Christopher Blossom- marine art,plein air
Tom Browning- landscape,plein air
Jack Hines and Jessica Zemsky- landscape, figure, plein air
Dave Wade- wildlife
Paco Young-wildlife, plein air
Lectures and Discussions
Wilson Hurley- landscape and plein air
Gallery Representation
Adam Whitney Gallery, Omaha, NE
Verner Gallery of Fine Art, McAlester, OK
Skipjacks Nautical Wares, Portsmouth,VA
Teaching
2005- Sunderland Gallery plein air lecture and demo
Collections
Lessner Point Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA
Enterprise Bank, Omaha, Ne
Buena Vista University. Storm Lake, Ia
Professional Organizations
Associate artist member, Oil Painters of America
Artist member, Omaha Artists Inc.
Art Related International Travel
One month study of Italian masters in Rome, Florence, Assisi, and Venice
Trip to Italy, France, and Spain to take in the art and culture
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