This is the old Grand rapids Public Museum I lived next to when I attended college. Before New York, Before New Mexico there was Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids Michigan. This is exactly how it looked.

 This is my old apartment building exactly one block from the museum. I lived on the top floor with my room mate John. We used dangle from the top balcony.

The Museum is no longer used for regular exhibition, but back then it was. You could walk through the museum as if you were the only one there, and often you were.

Walking around the museum alone, with my headphones on, I would sit and draw thinking "I own this space." Of course I didn't but I liked the idea. Surrounded by so much still "Lifeless life" it was very tranquil.

Experiences such as this transformed me into the artist I am today. considering lifeless antiquity as a thing of aesthetic beauty. The somewhat scary desolation and peculiarity of this environment played a larger role in things to come.




'Homecoming- an untitled history"pencil and oil pastels by David Davies

Even now as I embrace what I call my "aesthetisized horror" I  am reliving those experiences. In this classroom doodle I did you can see the old museum diorama rearing its head within the subject matter.










And there you have it, a little piece of my history. I hope you gained a little insight into my work.

  As an artist, especially a working artist, we wear many hats e.g. artist, illustrator, designer, and teacher.  Those of you who have been following my art know my style and subject matter. Most of what I deal with is an aestheticized violence translated into something I find beautiful or that has a subverted narrative.  Well I am here to tell you folks, that is not all that makes up my artistic life.
  Two days a week I visit several long term care facilities and conduct painting workshops. I draw the pictures, and through guided painting sessions I help hose in their golden years live out their passion. Depicted in this photo is one of my students, she is 92 and just getting warmed up!