DAVID C THOMAS

Artist's statement

Based in the South West of England, David Thomas studied Fine Art at Ravensbourne and later completed postgraduate studies at the Slade School of Fine Art. He exhibited in several Young Contemporaries shows and received both a Boise Travelling Scholarship to the USA and a Sainsbury Postgraduate Award. Over the course of his career, he has taught painting and sculpture at art colleges across the UK. His work has been widely exhibited throughout Britain and, to a lesser extent, internationally. David works across a range of media, including photography, printmaking, and three-dimensional disciplines.

Living in North Wales for fourteen years fostered a deep appreciation for the region’s striking landscapes and distinctive geology. Exploring the hills and peaks around Snowdonia inspired a visceral visual response to the Welsh terrain. The shifting weather—dramatic skies, persistent dampness, and fleeting sunlight—continues to inform his artistic vision.

Recently, David has been exploring watercolour as a counterpoint to oil painting. The immediacy and expressive potential of this medium have opened new avenues for experimentation. These works draw inspiration from the atmospheric conditions he observes and photographs, translating the interplay of light, colour, and texture into paintings that capture the environment’s constantly changing spirit.

David approaches painting not as replication but as interpretation—seeking to distill the essential qualities that define a landscape’s unique character. Rather than reproducing what already exists, he uses paint to investigate form, texture, and gesture in ways that evoke emotional resonance. His influences include Turner’s mastery of light and classical composition, as well as the dynamic, raw energy of abstract expressionism.

In a world increasingly absorbed by technology, painting offers a rare tactile and reflective experience. David is drawn to the expressive possibilities of oil paint—its capacity for movement, reworking, and improvisation. He often incorporates wax to build texture and enhance fluidity. Through experimental use of materials, he aims to create work that engages the viewer deeply, inviting contemplation and emotional connection.

His recent watercolour practice continues this spirit of exploration—an extension of his ongoing dialogue between medium, landscape, and expression.