Dave Sellers knew what he wanted to do at an early
age. Always having an interest in art, he began his career early. Dave spent
his first summer after high school painting watercolors of North American
waterfowl. This enabled him to enter local art shows with the aim of funding
his education in art and history at Humboldt State University in northern
California. His work soon caught the attention of various conservation groups,
including the California Waterfowl Association and Ducks Unlimited.
These two organizations helped to publicize Dave’s work through their fund
raising efforts and he soon became well known throughout the state among those
interested in preserving wetland habitat.
After a few years as a wildlife painter, Dave was on his way to national notice. Before his thirtieth birthday, he was honored as California Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, California Waterfowl Association Artist of the Year, Best of Show at the National Wildlife Art Show and had received seven additional best of show honors at wildlife art shows across the country. His work as a waterfowl painter has been featured in national publications including U.S. Art, Wildlife Art News, as well as numerous local newspaper articles. His greatest honor was in having his work accepted six times in the prestigious “Birds in Art” exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum of Art. This exhibit is held annually and attracts artists from all continents to submit work for jury into what has become the hallmark of achievement in art featuring birds. When first accepted, he was the youngest American artist to be so honored. His work has toured with the exhibit both nationally and internationally and additionally, the museum has added Dave’s work to their permanent collection.
In 1995, while traveling in Alaska and Canada, Dave
began painting on location outdoors. This was a new challenge and began a
transitional period for this young painter. Although he had previously done
some plein-air pieces, never had he experienced the sense of affinity for the
land as he did during this period of immersion in outdoor painting. Following
this trip, he put together his collection of field studies and presented them at
an exhibit in Seattle, Washington, where all the work sold. Since this initial
success, Dave has been painting landscapes almost exclusively. His style is
reminiscent of the early California masters, yet shows an amazing freshness and
individuality
Currently,
Dave’s work is exhibited in galleries across the United States. His oil
paintings are included in several corporate collections and are being acquired
by private collectors who recognize an artist in pursuit of individual
expression and artistic significance. Dave says: “I believe strongly in
the traditions of landscape painting in America , but am driven by
a desire to explore new avenues of expression.” His work is indeed
highly individual and has received the respect and admiration of his peers.
