Dave was born in England, in the industrial NE town of Middlesbrough. As a child all he wanted to be was an artist but was dissuaded and directed instead into industry, becoming an apprentice at the local ICI petrochemical complex. Dave enjoyed engineering and had an extremely varied and interesting career in the Petrochemicals, North Sea Oil & Gas, Steel and Mining Industries. His particular branch of engineering was in demand Worldwide and gave him the opportunity to work in other countries. In 1988 his family, wife Sandra and teenage children Andrew and Adele migrated to Australia.
In 2008 Sandra pushed Dave to start painting and as soon as he walked into the art room his passion for art was reignited. This time he followed his heart and threw himself into learning everything he could, as quickly as he could.
In 2012, Dave started painting in watercolour and fell in love with this most challenging of mediums. He began painting Plein Air and after a short while decided this was what he wanted to do so quit engineering and art is now his life. Dave paints busy, dynamic outdoor scenes with plenty of action, people, boats, cafe scenes, construction work, country scenes etc
Dave loves working with all the art mediums though he paints mostly watercolours and pastels
Dave have travelled extensively internationally to both study with his favourite artists in fantastic locations and also to just paint plein air by himself. Whilst admiring other artists’ skills and techniques, Dave ensures that he continues to develop his own unique style.
In 2018 as a representative of The Watercolour Society of WA, Dave attended two separate International Watercolour Symposiums in Europe. Firstly in Italy and then in Poland; artists attended and competed from Italy, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain and USA. In Maccagno, Italy Dave was invited to be a demonstration artist and also took third place in the International Plein Air Competition.
AWARDS
Mar 2019 – WA Society Arts Annual Exhibition Plein Air – Highly Commended
Mar 2019 – Watercolour Society WA – Plein Air, Highly commended
Jun 2018 – Maccagno Italy, International Watercolour Exhibition, Plein Air Competition Third Place
Mar 2018 – Beverley WA Annual Art Exhibition – Highly Commended
Oct 2017 – Watercolour Society of WA Annual Exhibition – Highly Commended
Apr 2017 – The West Australian Society of Arts Plein Air Competition – Winner
Aug 2016 – Perth Pastel Society, Annual Exhibition – Highly Commended
Jun 2015 – Watercolour Society of WA, Plein Air Competition – Winner
May 2015 – Mandurah Crab Festival, Plein Air Competition – Winner
Aug 2014 – Pastel Society of WA, Annual Exhibition – Runner Up
Apr 2013 – The West Australian Society of Arts, Plein Air Competition – Winner
PAINTINGS
Dave’s paintings hang in Australia, England, USA, Canada, Bahrain, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and in the Ex Governor of Perth’s home.
DEMOS AND WORKSHOPS
Dave’s demos and workshops are very popular as they are dynamic and fun filled, with a large slice of humour thrown in, his students leave inspired and eager to paint.
Vist my website www.daveconlinartist.com
Contact by email – conlind@iinet.net.au
