David Snipes attended Frostburg State University where he studied art and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in 2006. He learned some great techniques there like experimenting with different mediums, styles and subjects. He really enjoys doing artwork for his audience (i.e commissions and selling his artwork to patrons, working and trading with other great artists). He can be quoted as saying;
"seeing my artwork in a museum would be nice but, I'd rather see it on someone's wall, as that compliment means it specifically meant something personal and intimate to that patron."
In a Q and A session David Snipes, who I like to call Davenchi, opens up on why he is such an Inspirational Artist.
[David Snipes] To this day, I'm not necessarily sure that it is something I've consciously decided as much as it is something I naturally and organically do. At times I need a break from it, but I do enjoy taking a pencil, pen or marker and putting something on paper or canvas and then building it up consistently- it really is making "something from nothing", you take that blank surface and create something memorable to experience of the artists' development and, hopefully, the viewer's enjoyment. As Miles Davis once put it, when someone asked him why does he play the trumpet, "It's what I do".
[Heroic Artistry] Who are some the artists who inspire you?
[David Snipes] I try to gain influences from every possible venue and area that I can. Starting of course from the visual artist, I look at Michelangelo's storytelling ability,van Gogh's personal gravitas, Picasso's "chameleon" ability to change his style and subjects, Basquiat and his childish play with paints and history...the list goes on and on. With that, I try to look at artists who have a story to tell with their talents and mediums- this also extends to artists like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Charlie Chaplin... I even extend the "artist" category to Martin Luther King, Jr., Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi...artists who used their vision to change the world.
[Heroic Artistry] What are some of your favorite medium to use and why?
[David Snipes] I start drawing using Sharpie markers, then paint using watercolors- I put the dark colors in first, let dray, then put in the light colors. After that dries, I put in color pencils and markers to put back in the artwork some "fluidity", as I feel just watercolors dry up too much for my taste. I like doing mixed media more because it allows me to play with more mediums and build more of the artwork up. I like to draw and paint overall; actually I would say my favorite paint to use is acrylic, as it instantly gives a graphic, florescent feel when used correctly.
[Heroic Artistry] When did you first start drawing and painting?
[David Snipes] I started drawing and painting when I was about 4 or 5; my first memory concerning me doing artwork is of me drawing on the walls in my house. Like I said earlier, it was just something I instinctively did, not really thinking about possible consequences or anything like that. One thing I also remember that encouraged me to keep with it was my mother telling me " You're showing great talent"; I guess that started me to be more persistent and consistent with it.
[Heroic Artistry] What are your favorite things to draw and why?
[David Snipes] Portraits! My favorite subject to draw are people, from all different areas and walks of life. I tend to draw and paint people that either I'm fascinated by or am interested in; I usually do portraits of subjects who have heroic and captivating qualities to me. Nowadays, I'm aiming to get away from drawing celebrities so much; I like drawing and painting people whose visual style interest me, as well as people who I have personal relationships and influences with.
Below is only a sample of his impressive portfolio.
If you're interested in some of his artwork, feel free to contact him either by email at [email protected], [email protected], or by telephone at (240) 893-4248.
Also, feel free to check out more of his work on social media:
Facebook - David I. Snipes
Instagram - @davedoinartnow
tumblr - @davedoinartnow
His website is under development and coming soon!