About us

David Garrison: Born in Jacksonville, Illinois but has lived in many areas such as California, Colorado, the Southwest and Chicago, Illinois. He now resides in Burlington, Iowa and Normandie, France. Artist Statement “I believe that a painting is not just an illusion in two dimensions, but it is also a moment in life, captured on canvas. Painting is a language varying in mood and atmosphere that reflects the diversities of life itself. I enjoy the challenges of various subject matters, so my approach to the painting process is to involve the viewer with those subjects as much as possible; not only through those choices, but also through how I elect to portray those subjects. Allowing the viewer to interpret and finish parts of the painting is more interesting than if the painting is totally spelled out for them. I want the viewer to see the use of the medium, the end of the brush stroke, the spontaneity, the freshness of a new painting. If I can give the viewer an impression of the atmosphere, a sense of light and deep shadows, if I can just open their eyes to the simple beauty around us, then I have accomplished a great deal!” – David Garrison Cecile Houl's: The act of creation is an endless search for perfection, this creation becoming 'art' after a long time of experimenting. Art appears when reality is magically transformed into beauty. The unanimous feeling it offers to the viewer is a powerful emotion, both intellectual and physical, which can only be felt in front of a painting. Beauty is the truth that appears beyond the seduction of only forms and colours. None of history's most famous artists succeeded without an enormous amount of work. That's why I feel very humble, improving constantly my technique - and then my freedom to attain it - without burning steps, and achieving a full expression that is Art. The technique of pastel is very subtle and needs a light hand most of the time, with a fewer stronger strikes. I paint more portraits because I 'm fascinated by humanity, all in a spirit of tolerance, respect and love for the other. If I can express those feelings in my paintings, I have accomplished an important feat as an artist. Oil is a sensual technique as well, allowing me to take the necessary time to mature my painting as I go. So, there are two processes in my proposition: one is aesthetic and the other is ethical. It forces me to think deeply about my choices, and be very demanding when I paint. But most of all, I listen to my heart simply and faithfully, and the beat that I hear gives me all the inspiration I need. I love sharing my experience with students during workshops or demonstrations, which I conduct with joy and enthusiasm. For me and my students there is no stress or pressure during workshops because we are all human beings, and we are all allowed to make mistakes. I have a wonderful life in front of me, full of discoveries and surprises and sometime deceptions. All that is called 'experience' and it will make me grow as I progress down the complex path of Art.

Neighborhood: Near North Side

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