Born in Dallas, Texas, David Potwin is the oldest of three children.
Potwin first put brush to canvas at 8 yrs. old. As a young boy, Potwin's family would
summer vacation in Taos, New Mexico.
"During our vacation in 1965, I met my first true mentor, Taos artist Eric Gibberd.
Eric was a fine impressionist artist who took a strong interest in me. Eric remained a
vibrant and reverent influence in my life until his death" says Potwin.
After completing 12 years of Catholic school education and under Gibberd's mentorship, Potwin attended the University
of Houston Fine Arts program from 1969-1974, studying under William Anzalone and Dr. Peter Gunther and a classmate of Julian Schnabel.
Potwin travelled extensively throughout his life and has had a variety of art-related positions from a fine arts publisher
in New York City to a special effects painter at Astroworld Amusement Park in Houston. Working as an art importer
and wholesaler afforded Potwin with opportunities to continue his art education in the Caribbean, Europe, and the
Middle East. The artist has experienced periods of frenitic creative activitiy as well as periods of complete indolence.
"I'm quite content to be a painter of pictures. For me, painting is a synthesis that
considers the myriad aspects of human awareness, expressed in visual form. Melding
together philosophy, physics, sociology, emotion, mysticism, and eroticism with
craftmanship. I like to tweak the colors to tease the eye with a sense of light and
expressed energy. My work is "conceptual realism".
To quote the artist, "Painting is a synthesis that considers the myriad aspects of human awareness, expressed in visual
form. "
With one look at Potwin's paintings, you realize his broad assortment of conceptual realism subjects range from
landscapes to portraits to observations of the world.
David's comments about select pieces of his art
When asked to describe his feelings about someof his art, David replied: "
Does it really matter what I meant when I painted it? Or is it more important what you see in it? Each should be a meditation.
There is no precise meaning- only a departure point. Here are a few:"
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25 Crosses is a very personal painting for the artist. Each cross represents one year of Potwin's prison sentence. The man-tree is trying to move ahead but rooted in the rubble of his life- the chasm of past and future- the various implications of the cross: torture, moral judgement- the crisis of personal suffering. Yet, the single leaf at the tip of the man-tree represents life, hope- salvation.
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Assortment is a statement on females' serial love affairs, where men are consumed and discarded like chocolates. The painting depicts a bright pink heart-shaped candy box with the lid tipped back to reveal a box full of portrait-embossed pieces of candy.
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Plum Orchard , we are treated to a peaceful yet surprisingly energetic painting that prominently features a Van Gogh-radiant sun. The abrupt short swirling strokes were meant to describe the relentless radiation of the sun, the listlessness of the trees, the bare earth beneath them.
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INCUBUS The male sexual spirit that visits women in their dreams.
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CEREAL KILLER A play on Andy Warhols' soup cans, the complete title is Cereal Killer- Prisoner of Consumer Culture.
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REQUIEM (FOR CULTURAL DIVERGENCE) That diversity grows in isolation and becomes lost in the synthesis of contact.
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RAINING BABIES The beauty of children and the threat of overpopulation.
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THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD The Walmart effect and the destruction of Main St. America.
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EMPTY FRUIT Anticipation is greater than Realization
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BLOWN AWAY, BY THE WINDS OF CHANGE This is my 9/11 painting.
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PIGGY BACK This one is about people trapped in their self concepts, united by circumstances in competition with others.
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MIDWAY The city as the "Big" Carnival
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LEGACY Leaving future generations to clean up the mess
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ADAMS APPLE Truths within truths. The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, the cessation of life within the moment that began with that bite, when man became a seeker.
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DEPERSONALIZATION The reverse of people without clothes- clothes without people. A social comment on appearances. |
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Adam and Eve
The other day, for instance, a painting of Adam and Eve (snake, tree- you know the story) was confiscated. I thought it was rather tame, as I had been emulating an italian holy card from my childhood. But alas, Adam and Eve were unclothed, which my censors do not allow. After 14 years, I am somewhat used to this but still push the envelope.
Update- my painting of Adam and Eve was returned to me by my rather small minded censors, and I was required to cover the naughty bits, which of course changes the entire meaning of the painting. I find it rather more socio-political in its current state, so I presume, alls well that ends well. I did however, give Adam and Eve navels. Somehow they just didn't look right without them.
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He adds: "Many of my paintings, still lifes, landscapes, underwater scenes are meant to be eye candy. I sometimes feel that perhaps my style is too broad, but I am not a one trick pony."
In 1994, Potwin was sentenced to federal prison which he describes as the most cathartic event in his life. "this black
sense of loss became a lens that focused my innate creative drive to crystalline clarity," says Potwin. Since his
incarceration, Potwin has dedicated time to not only building his "Family" of paintings but also to helping other inmates
realize their artisitic and creative abilities by teaching art classes and music lessons at the correctional facility.
"Believe it or not, during these past years as an art teacher to inmates, I have had the opportunity to light a spark in the
minds of a considerable number of disenfranchised individuals who only lacked the encouragement and the opportunity
to discover their latent talents. Their pride of accomplishment is my reward", says Potwin.
Growing up playing the guitar and singing, Potwin formed his first band at 14 years old, and his love of music continues
to grow. Potwin has taken on responsibility for requesting recreational budget monies that enable inmates to realize
their own artistic talents.
Writing also plays a key role in Potwin's life. the artist has just finished the challenge of putting pen to paper. He has
just completed his first novel based on his unique view of life in Federal Prison. After 14 years , he offers credible and
reliable insight. "Its sort of a Hogan's Heroes meets Gulag Archapelago", is all that Potwin will say. We are sure the
novel will be as complex and intriguing as Potwin's already conquered challenge of putting brush to canvas.
"My inspiration is drawn from many quarters. To list all of the great artists who
have inspired me would be some list indeed. What I continually seek is to refine my
vision and my craft. My goal is to create a body of work that is multi-layered and
resonates with common man as well as the initiated. And naturally, I'd like to find nice
homes for my "children" as well!" says Potwin.
David (right) in his band. Picture posted February 2009
Henry David Potwin BLOG
---------------- 2008 -----------------
It is obvious that I have been influenced by the loose strokes and eye mixing of colors of the impressionists.
But I love it all. Art Nouveau, Art deco, German Impressionists, Pop and Op, Cubist, Surrealist, Symbolist - Illuminated
Manuscripts to Plein Air."
"I see common threads running through my work but it may be stylistically broad and difficult to pin down and attach a label.
Basically, I just aint whatever the hell I want. When I look at the body of work created by Picasso, I see numerous divergent
explorations. That freedom of expression is what keeps it exciting. In the end, I expect that the body of work will define itself.
I wish to thank Carrie Cameron who owns the
Cameron Gallery in Dallas, Texas, and who made possible my first one-man show.
I wish that I could have been there."
"I refer all of you who appreciate my work to ArtWanted.com/HDPotwin .
You might check out Olga Van Dijks site while you're there.
She is one of the several artists there who always seems to have a kind word for me."
---------------- 2009 -----------------
Greetings from the Dungeon
Life can be pretty dismal here. Painting transports me to a realm of indeterminate possibilities.
Perhaps one can live a meaningful life, even in awful circumstances. I have taught art to prisoners
for thirteen years. There are some dreadful people here, but most are just normal working class guys who
wandered into difficult situations.
I tried to establish a creative refuge in an abusive environment. Small acts add up over time. Some of th emen learn to deal with thier stress through creativity as opposed to blind anger. Some don't. I was introduced the other day as "our artist trying to change the world one painting at a time" Ain't that a hoot?. Well, I just had to smile.
October 2009
David went to Veges (....not). Here is David in front of a painting he did of the famous Vegas Skyline.
David has been especially inspired by and appreciates the art of the following artists:
Check out the way art is displayed and sold at:
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