DAVID KELKER
I have been creating some form of art for as long as I can remember. I’m still enthusiastic about my journey as an artist and embrace the challenges. To me creating art is an adventure in spontaneity, exploration and personal growth.
After graduating with a degree in fine arts I went on to study at the Art Institute of Chicago. I then taught art in the public-school system before entering the field of advertising. As executive creative director for multiple national ad agencies I created advertising campaigns for some of the most iconic brands in the world - Bloomingdale’s, Godiva Chocolates, The Home Depot, Saks Fifth Avenue, Revlon Cosmetics and Macy’s to name a few.
Painting lets me express myself in a way my advertising work didn’t. It allows me to be more expressive and imaginative, letting me experiment with color, texture and shapes to communicate the personal emotion of the painting.
My goal is to create a visual dialogue with the audience through the use of a variety of textures and range of media to create an abstract layered effect. The surface of my painting are layered with acrylic paint and found materials to create depth, texture and movement, each layer guides the next. In between each layer, I use a power sander and then start layering again to achieve the desired end result. I’m inspired by the design of textile patterns, abstract mosaics and gritty decaying building surfaces. My instincts drive the composition of my paintings as they evolve layer upon layer. My work is meant to engage the viewer, visually and emotionally. I would like each viewer to discover something new in my work the closer they examine the art.
