LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ARTS & COLLECTIBLES
BLENDING LIFE & LIGHT
David Marty’s evocative landscapes blend realism and impressionism, capturing the serene beauty of nature through a deeply personal lens, shaped by his plein air adventures and transformative life experiences.
Golden Hour, 30x40, oil, studio
David Marty’s artistic journey is a profound reflection of both personal transformation and the evolving landscapes he loves to paint. In a world where many artists cling to a particular style, Marty’s willingness to let his work evolve has created a dynamic, ever-developing body of art. His early years were spent perfecting a realistic, almost photographic approach to painting, where every blade of grass and detail of a barn was meticulously rendered. However, as his life experiences deepened, so did his approach to painting. “I had to paint every blade of grass and board on a barn,” Marty recalls, reflecting on his earlier works. “Over time, I have embraced a looser, more expressive style...I feel much freer and am enjoying it more!”
A significant turning point in Marty’s life was the expansion of his family, a period that saw him adopting two boys from Bulgaria, followed by the birth of a third child. This momentous life change sparked a newfound intensity in his painting. Marty explains, “Adding three boys in one year drastically impacted our family, and that is when I really started painting in earnest.” For him, painting became a space for solitude, allowing him to channel the overwhelming shifts in his personal life into a creative outlet. Late-night hours spent painting became a sanctuary, where he developed a more impressionistic style that still carried the essence of his earlier realism.
Central to Marty’s artistic practice is his deep connection to nature, which he channels through plein air painting—a method of painting outdoors, capturing the immediacy of a scene in real-time. His commitment to this method brings an authenticity to his landscapes that can only come from direct engagement with the environment. “There’s something so immediate and authentic about working directly from the landscape,” Marty says of his love for plein air painting. He thrives in the unpredictability of nature, adapting to changing light and weather conditions while seeking to capture a fleeting moment that a photograph could never truly replicate. Painting outdoors presents its own set of challenges, as he has often had to contend with sudden rain showers or even an encounter with a bear while painting in Glacier National Park—a story that now adds to his artistic lore.
Despite the challenges of plein air painting, Marty is drawn to scenes that evoke tranquility and peace. “I am drawn to scenes that give me a sense of peace and tranquility,” he shares. His landscapes—whether they depict the golden light of sunset on a mountain peak or the serene flow of a meadow stream—are imbued with a sense of calm, a respite from the often chaotic world. Through his art, Marty invites viewers into a peaceful dialogue with nature, encouraging them to experience the same sense of wonder and stillness that he feels when standing before his easel.
A View of Crescent Bay, 12x16, oil, plein air
LIttle Red Boat, 9x12, oil, plein air
Over time, his technique has also evolved to reflect this intimate relationship with nature. While brushes remain his primary tool, Marty increasingly incorporates palette knives into his plein air work, adding texture and bold strokes that bring the scene to life. “They’re great for adding texture and bold, spontaneous strokes that can capture the essence of a scene quickly,” he says, describing the way the palette knife has helped him achieve a greater sense of depth and variety in his paintings.
Edmonds Marsh, 20x24, oil, studio
For Marty, painting is not just a profession, but a way of engaging with the world, capturing moments of beauty, and offering solace through art. His works transcend mere representation; they are emotional landscapes, portals into serene worlds, filled with light, texture, and an undeniable vibrancy. His unique blend of realism and impressionism invites viewers to not only see the world through his eyes but also to feel the quiet peace that his art conveys. Through his evolving style, his connection with nature, and his thoughtful technique, David Marty offers an art experience that is as enriching emotionally as it is visually stunning. His landscapes, marked by both spontaneity and serenity, create a sense of harmony that resonates long after the viewer has left the gallery.
Morning Solidude, 8x10, oil, plein air