Artists

"I want viewers to have more than a pleasing image to look at. I want them to experience what I felt in the creation of the work."

David Berridge began his endeavors over thirty years ago, rendering detailed black and white drawings in charcoal and pencil. During this time, he was living and working on a ranch in Arizona and found his drawings influenced by the western life he was living. For the next ten years he exhibited his drawings of life on the ranch. For a brief time, he also hand-painted black and white wildlife prints with color. Not feeling particularly inspired, Berridge decided that it was time for a new direction and a completely new medium: oil pastels. David's technique, generally regarded as impressionistic, displays a keen sense of light and shadow. A brilliant and dramatic use of color characterizes his work in this difficult medium. (A mark from an oil pastel stick is permanent and because of its creamy properties, is susceptible to over-blending. Unlike painting in oil or acrylic, there is no room for error!) David paints from internal memory, dreams, and imagination. He finds his work therapeutic and hopes that others react similarly.