ReelHeART International Film Festival

David Brown – A graduate and former faculty member of the Ontario College of Art and Design, David Brown has earned a following as one of Canadaís leading encaustic painters. David’s work has been shown at numerous galleries and museums throughout Canada and the U.S., his paintings are held in private and corporate collections, across North America, Europe, and Asia. Active in Toronto’s creative community, David convenes monthly expositions at the Gladstone Hotel to showcase works by emerging artists. He is a member of Visual Arts Ontario, CARFAC Ontario, and the Parkdale Village Arts Collective. David lives in downtown Toronto and works in his studio located in the historic Distillery District.

Artists Statement for the Work on Paper: My recent work on paper represents a shift from the outside inward. Subtle yet, a new voice is emerging from within that ultimately propels me to tell my story through image, composition and colour. Quietly each paper piece expresses personal milestones of self-discovery.

My process begins with simple penciled symbols inspired by children’s drawings and primitive cultural icons. Drawn elements become seeds for my paintings as I sculpt varied surfaces on the paper. The encaustic medium allows me to play with degrees of transparency and encapsulate found objects. My story is embedded in the layers, peeking through just enough to be a glimmer.

Many people say these paintings evoke a child’s whimsy. For me they represent an important visual bridge for the emotional growth we all experience, embrace or endure.