(American, b. 1952)

David Dalton was born in 1952 in Pontiac, Michigan. The son of an artist, he has been involved in the arts most of his life. Upon graduating in 1977 with a degree in Fine Arts, a turning point took place in Dalton’s artistic career. During a weekend excursion, he visited Carmel, California. In touring more than forty galleries, he was greatly impressed by its art and was particularly moved by the work of renowned seascape painter Alexander Dzigurski. Thus with new enthusiasm and inspiration, Dalton decided to move to southern California and dedicate his career to painting ocean views.

Once settled on the West Coast, Dalton set a hectic schedule for himself of teaching by day and painting by night. He practiced different techniques, striving always to express himself in new ways through his brush. His work was enthusiastically received by the public which encouraged him to paint even more. Soon, the young artist was working between ten and fourteen hours a day. His dedication reaped benefit, for just two years later an established art gallery in southern California decided to represent Dalton. His canvases won the praise of noted art dealers throughout the United States.

Today, Dalton’s images of the pounding California surf and the spirited motion of the Pacific Ocean are crisp, forceful and captivating. He has mastered a unique style of brushwork that gives luminosity to his canvases, and his layered application of color imparts depth and perspective. The artist’s exploration of the power of color has also added much to his painting which now stands so vividly apart from the work of his contemporaries. A master of the intricacies involved in blending oils, Dalton captures anything from the burning intensity of a California sunset to the haunting moodiness of a silver-cast moon reflecting off ice-blue waters.

Through the years the works of James Fetherolf, an American legend in Contemporary Landscape painting, inspired Dalton. Thus, diversifying his talent Dalton brings to life on his canvases the varied beauty of our American land. The artist’s popular California Landscapes of oak shaded barns nestled into gentle rolling hillsides are captivating and characterized by astounding detail.

David Dalton’s Award winning Landscapes and Seascapes have certainly earned him the respect of being named one of California’s foremost Land and Seascape painters. Simic Galleries is pleased to present the works of this Contemporary Master.