David Downs was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1978. Throughout his life, David always found escape though artistic means. Since the lack of financial resources kept him from partaking in finer education, most of David’s artistic practices have been self-taught. In 1998, David enrolled in St. Louis Community College at Meramec. He brought with him a newly discovered interest in photography, which grew from classes he had taken in high school. David would work as many as three jobs at once while attending Meramec part-time to pursue his education in photography.
David left St. Louis for Chicago, Illinois in 2001. There, with a greater concentration of artists and galleries, David knew Chicago would be the right place to find inspiration. He began to reach beyond photography and wanted to rekindle his love for painting. By experimenting with collage, photo-transfer, and photo-application, David developed many of the techniques he still uses today. In 2004, David moved to New York City to explore it’s vast artistic community. In New York, David pushed his medium into bigger and bolder directions. He began to understand his love for texture and how it related to his work as well as how it was reflected his photographs. Throughout New York City, David began showing his work with encouraging success. After a few years, however, it was time to move back to Chicago.
Currently, David is working towards a new aesthetic in his artwork. His work reflects the harmony obtained through diversification and conflict. David now feels that he truly understands the philosophies behind his craft, and his artwork has become stronger and deeper rooted in those beliefs.
Since 2007, David Downs has been teaching adults and children in Chicago the fine art of painting and comic book illustration. He has become well-versed in comic book creation and publication, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor, and both traditional and digital photography. His classes can be found throught the city in various schools and venues during the year.
