Eileen David Bernal Palm, 2022, oil on canvas, 40 x 29 7/8 in.
Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area most of my adult life, I have had a lot of time to observe and connect with my surroundings in an intimate way. Like any long-term relationship, with all of its different faces, many moods and subtle changes over time, a relationship to a place, for me, comes from having a connection. I think of my work as an ongoing dialogue I am having with my everyday environment. As I roam the city streets, drive in my car, or spend time swimming in open water, I feel like an explorer, searching for those moments when I get a visceral response to what I see. Observation of the same scenery repeated over time, the play of light and different atmospheric conditions, eventually render the ordinary, extraordinary.
My process has evolved and changed subtly over time. I have always used my photos as a reference, but recently there is a point of departure, some distillation, exploration and invention allowing me to focus on the act of painting, along with all the micro decisions informing my next steps. Relying more on a sense of design, I let the painting evolve in a more organic and intuitive way that feels more adventurous.
"I feel like an explorer, searching for those moments when I get a visceral response to what I see."
EILEEN DAVID
1952
Born in New York, NY
EDUCATION
2005
M.F.A., San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2001
B.A., Studio Art and Art History, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
1984–1992
Academy of Art College, Illustration and Painting, San Francisco, CA
SELECTED AWARDS
2005
Joan Mitchell Foundation M.F.A. Grant Award Recipient
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023
Eileen David: In Place, LewAllen Galleries, Santa Fe, NM
2022
Eileen David: City Rhythms, LewAllen Galleries, Santa Fe, NM
2021
Eileen David: Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019
Eileen David Paintings, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Rutherford, CA
2017
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011
Housescapes, Cañada College, Redwood City, CA
2010
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007
Urban Landscapes, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Seattle Art Fair, Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle, WA
Twenty-Five Treasures Summer, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2022
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2019
Seattle Art Fair, Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle, WA
2017
Painted Landscapes: Contemporary Views, Heritage Museum & Gardens, Sandwich, MA
2014
Art Miami, Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco, San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, CA
EXPO Chicago, Festival Pavilion, Navy Pier, Chicago IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2013
Art Miami, Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
EXPO Chicago, Festival Pavilion, Navy Pier, Chicago IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2012
Art Miami, Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
EXPO Chicago, Festival Pavilion, Navy Pier, Chicago IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2017
Briana-Gartner. “Contemporary Landscapes Focus of Heritage Show.” Cape News. 16 June 2017.
Wilkinson, Don. “Art Beat: Landscape exhibits covers wondrous terrain.” South Coast Today. 4 May 2017.
Feinberg, Jody. “Fine Art: Contemporary Landscapes on view at Heritage Museum.” The Patriot Ledger. 20 April 2017.
2015
Zack, Jessica. “Painting ‘where past overlaps with present’.” San Francisco Chronicle, July 2nd, 2015.
Eileen David
Lefty at Dawn, 2023
oil on panel
12 x 12 in.
