 |
David
C. Behrens
Upon viewing a painting by David
C. Behrens, one is immediately moved by the intense
imagery and emotion found in his work. “As humans we are
all moved by stories,” David says, “and my greatest
hope is that my paintings achieve what a good story does, only
not with words but with brushstrokes.”
As an Illustration major at East Carolina University, David
made his first connection with Native Americans and their history.
“I remember going to the library to do some research on
a painting and
stumbling across some old photographs of Native people. The
profound sense of pride mixed with sadness and longing in their
faces spoke so sharply to me that I just could not put my paintbrush
to canvas without painting one of these remarkable faces.”
With his bloodline being from Sicilian and German descent many
wonder how he can so accurately portray a people not his own.
“I believe that God has put it in my heart to paint these
images and it is my prayer that He would somehow use my art
to bring forth a sense of healing.”
At first glance it is difficult to distinguish the method and
media that David enjoys to work in. These dream-like montages
are the result of an oil glazing technique that dates back to
the early Italian Renaissance period. To achieve this David
builds up many different layers of translucent oil washes thus
creating a very pleasing effect of images fading in and out
of their surroundings. To create a sense of organic texture
that has become his hallmark, David paints on a surface of gesso
mixed with powdered marble.
It is accurate to say that one does not merely view one of David’s
paintings but journeys into it. It is easy to lose oneself in
the candid realism, the flowing movement, and the heartbeat
found in each of his works. “Art is my purest form of
communication and it would be dishonoring if I did not acknowledge
Jesus Christ, my Creator and Savior who has blessed me with
the ability to paint, for truly He is the greatest artist of
all.”
David's artwork can be seen at galleries throughout the country.
He currently travels coast to coast and exhibits at many prestigious
Indian Art
Markets. When he is back at his studio David works diligenty
on new works of art that continue to challlenge his audience
with stirring concepts that are both thoughtfully rendered and
fearlessly honest, giving a voice to a silent past.
David C. Behrens lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his
wife Marybel and their two sons Tomas and Eli. |
|
