Light Gleams Off Shiny Blankets Wrapping David Rice’s Subjects In Latest Paintings
Growing up in Aspen, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and vast natural landscapes, artist David Rice developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors that continues to shape his work today. Nature remains a constant presence in his art, both as subject matter and atmosphere.
His series “Ornamental” showcases figures set against serene natural scenes, as well as more familiar suburban environments. Some subjects sit quietly in calm, pastoral backdrops, while others recline in everyday neighbourhood settings. In each piece, they are draped in shimmering golden “blankets” that seem to catch and reflect light in captivating ways. By painting people of different genders and placing them in these meditative poses, wrapped in gold, Rice invites viewers to bring their own interpretations to the work.
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Rice has been a full-time artist for more than 11 years. Trained in digital art, he has built a career creating both murals and traditional canvas paintings. His interest in art, and painting in particular, began early. As a child and teenager, he was drawn to comic books for their bold colours and dynamic characters.
In an interview with DeMilked, Rice explained how that early fascination evolved into a passion for illustration: “I studied a lot of the work from mid-century illustrators like J.C. Leyendecker, Dean Cornwell, and Bernie Fuchs. I loved how their work was narrative and could visually tell a story. That led me to more fine artists like Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, and the Impressionists of the late 1800s. I love how artists like Sargent utilise brushstrokes to bring their story to life. That is something I hope to accomplish in my work.”
Rice also spoke about the changing influences behind his creative process. “My work has always been influenced by my surroundings and interests. I grew up in a lovely mountain town in Colorado, so much of my earlier work focused on nature and its beauty. Living in a city over the last 13 years has changed my life experience, and much of what I paint now reflects that way of life.”
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When beginning a new painting, Rice follows a methodical approach. “When starting a new work, I try to gather a bunch of reference photos of the idea I am pursuing. I then take those reference photos into Photoshop and kind of collage them together until I am satisfied with the composition. Extra details are added in once I begin painting to make the scene feel accurate.”
Through this blend of digital planning, traditional technique, and personal storytelling, David Rice creates images that feel both contemporary and timeless, inviting viewers to pause, look closely, and find their own stories within his luminous, gold-tinged scenes.
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Got wisdom to pour?