Daily Inspiration: Meet David Kidd

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Kidd

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been painting professionally for approximately thirty years. Prior to that, I was working in the construction field and painting on the side. In reality, the art career was just a hobby at that time. In 1989 my father passed away in a car accident. His sudden passing was the wake-up call and impetus to get serious about being a painter. In an act of faith, I quit my job of 12 years to pursue my journey as a fulltime artist. I gave myself five years to make it happen. It was all very exciting and terrifying at the same time. Thirty years on, it has proven to be a good choice. My work has changed over the years, but my love of creating has not diminished. Currently, I am represented by six galleries located throughout the United States.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t say it has been a journey without challenges, but you learn to push through. I’ve had my fair share of gallery and exhibition rejections and thanks but no thanks replies. It took some time to figure out what worked for me. There are no blueprints or instruction manuals on how to be an artist. You try different paths and methods of working. You keep what works and discard the rest. This was all back in the days of submitting 35mm slides and before the internet exploded. Finding the right work/life balance is important as well.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My current work consists of acrylic paintings on canvas or panel. For the last twenty years my art has centered around leaves and botanical forms. I have become somewhat obsessed with the patterns created by leaves and the shadows they produce. I work from photographs that I edit to create a sense of movement and flow. My painting process involves the application of multiple layers of thin translucent paint. These layers produce a more complex and interesting surface. However, this technique does tend to be more time consuming and labor intensive. Sometimes there just are no short cuts. The themes of renewal and hope are consistently part of my work.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Atlanta has much to offer. I love the culture and dining opportunities. Certainly, at the top of my dislikes are the traffic and parking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://davidkiddpaintings.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/davidkiddpaintings