David Cottrell – Artist - Open Studios

Again this year, there are a great many paintings and drawings on display at David’s large house on Morrab Road, Penzance.

David has lived and painted in and around Penzance for several years. He has a BA degree from Falmouth School of Art in Fine Art and a MFA degree from Newcastle University. He was awarded the ‘Painting Prize’ for his work in the degree shows at Falmouth and a ‘David Murray Studentship’ from the RA. He was also a regional prize winner in the ‘Discerning Eye’ show of 2005. He has exhibited widely.

He was an Art Educator for many years. The later part of this was in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Usually David returns every year to the UAE where his married naturalised daughter and grandchildren live. His work is often derived from this experience.

David paints small pictures (just a few inches across) and much larger works, usually around 90 or 100cm sq. He paints in oil paint on canvas for the larger work and on board for the small works. Many ‘Life drawings’ will also be on display.

Working thematically, David’s paintings attempt to convey a personal feeling for the figure or environments. This frequently involves a rigorous ‘paring down’ and reworking . Final Images often evolve over a number of paintings. They explore an ambiguity which David sees as reflecting the nature of reality and perception. Recent paintings centre mainly around ‘The Figure’, ‘Heads’ and parts of buildings. Although often ‘reworked’ many times, an essential spontaneity and even brevity is aimed for capturing the essential stance, dynamics and essence of the figure or subject.

Some of David’s work becomes almost entirely ‘abstracted’. He enjoys the sense that his subject matter is not always what might be expected in a painting. A part of what he does is exploring the beauty that can be found in the unexpected both in terms of his subject and the ‘handling’ of paint.

David is a member of the ‘Penzance Studios’ group and the PZ11 group and Bosulval Studios. His working environment is a studio at ‘Bosulval Studios’ near New Mill, Penzance which can also be viewed by appointment during this event and after.