About

David Knowlton’s paintings of rural structures reflect his background. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he painted from a young age and moved to New Mexico after studying art at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

While living in Santa Fe for fifteen years, he produced idealized highly detailed drawings and paintings of architecture, trains, bridges and machinery.

Returning to Wisconsin he continued to paint while working for several years as the Scene Shop Supervisor in the University Theatre. The need for simplification and speed in designing, constructing and painting sets and backdrops led to a loosening of his painting style. Blending the real and the ideal in his depictions of iconic structures, Knowlton‘s paintings demonstrate the textural and tactile qualities of oil paint. Although his paintings are representational, he places great emphasis on the abstract elements – color relationships - the large shapes and patterns cast by shadows and the negative space and edges surrounding objects.

Since returning to New Mexico in 2020, David paints in his studio in Santa Fe. His work can be found in numerous corporate and public collections including the Brown Forman Jack Daniels collection, Mayo Health Systems, Hallmark Cards, M&I Bank, The United Bank of Colorado, The Gennessee and Wyoming Railroad and The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation, as well as private collections in the U.S. and Europe. He is represented by the Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe and Durango.