David Tomb, the SF/Bay Area artist critically acclaimed for his figurative painting, has a new show at the Electric Works Gallery of San Francisco next spring and the subject matter is…. birds.
David Tomb: Birds of The Sierra Madre
Now given all the bird “crap” out there, this may come as no surprise. But what IS surprising is that these are a wonderful departure from most of the ‘cutesy cartoon’ or ‘Victorian’ style bird art and crafts that proliferate galleries, the internet’s indie art sites, and even retail home decor stores these days.
Using the same interesting style he often employs in his figure paintings, Tomb (rhymes with bomb) mixes detail with innuendo and energetic strokes with precious attention. His birds, colored in an almost Audubon-like veracity sit again half rendered backdrops which both show off the birds and create space that seems boundless, like that of a real birds’ habitat.
Suffice it to say, I just love them. And they’re nice and BIG. (you really need to see them in person for their detail) Clearly I’m not the only since many have sold and the show doesn’t actually open for 5 months.
Below are the images listed on the gallery’s site. The names and descriptions are taken from there as well.
Mob Scene: Steak-backed Oriole, Blue Mockingbird, Yellow Grosbeak, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl,
2007, Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 30 x 44″ (SOLD)
Blue-crowned Motmot, El Triunfo, 2007, Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 44 x 30″ (SOLD)
Black-throated Magpie-Jay, 2007
Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 44 x 30″ (SOLD)
Ringed Kingfisher, 2007
Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 44 x 30″(SOLD)
Bat Falcons, 2007
Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 44 x 30″, (SOLD)
Resplendent Quetzal, Chiapas, 2007
Gouache, colored pencil, graphite on paper, Overall Dimensions: 44 x 30″ (SOLD)
David Tomb
Birds of the Sierra Madre
February 22 – March 22, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday, February 22, 6-8pm
Electric Works of San Francisco
So, if you’re anywhere in the SF/Bay Area in February, be sure to stop by and see the show .
Attend the opening reception and tell David Laura Sweet sent you!
Better yet, snap up one of his paintings before the show has sold out! See more of David Tomb’s work by clicking here.