artist interview - david imlay

What is your name and how old are you? My name is David Imlay and I'm 37 years old.

Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, which is located about an hour south of LA near the coast. I moved up to the Bay Area in 1995 for College and currently reside in San Francisco.



What kind of mediums do you use? Why do you choose to use these mediums? I do my tonal underpainting using acrylic and prefer to finish using oil because of the slower drying time. Being a water-based medium, acrylics dry very quickly, which is why I use them to quickly block out my composition. And with oils I can mix colours for days on end producing subtle color variations that I wouldn't have time to make with acrylics.

Are there any downsides to this medium? Oils and the mediums and thinners used along side them are fairly toxic so I definitely try to wear gloves at all times. Good ventilation is also key.

Is there a running theme to the work you create, or do you just make whatever comes to mind? My work definitely reflects that of my immediate surroundings, which happen to be the hustle and bustle of a big city. Urban Landscapes so to speak. On the other side of the spectrum, I tend to pull from the surroundings of my youth, which can be described as more of a slow-paced beach existence.



What makes your work unique and truly your own?

Tell us a little about your creative process. I find it most inspiring to simply walk around and take photos. The camera is great because I find it the perfect tool for me to capture that single moment in time before it changes. When driving or taking other forms of transportation I definitely end up missing a lot of the details of my surroundings for obvious reasons so I try and slow things down in order to focus and be in the moment. Plus it's never safe to mess which a camera while handling a moving vehicle.

How has your style changed over time? The change is something I don't really notice because it happens so slowly, and only when I refer back to older work do I see it happening. Subject matter aside- the 'change' in style is most evident with my approach to detail. My early work was fairly simple, painterly and my palette quite muted but over time things have evolved into a more complex photorealistic look with a bolder use of colour.



What do you wish you knew about being an artist before you got started? Finding that balance between business and art.

Are there any other mediums that you'd like to experiment with? Printmaking for sure.

What's the coolest art tip you've ever received?

What other budding artists do you love? San Francisco based artists Kim Cogan, Jeremy Mann, and of course my talented wife Ana Carolina Pesce-Imlay.



What do you enjoy doing when not creating art? I have a long time love affair with surfing.

Where can we see more of your work? davidimlay.com