David Delamare, Illustrator

How long has David Delamare been painting?

All his life. Even as a child he was busy drawing, painting, and writing stories. He was strongly encouraged by his mother, Una, who still enjoys baking cookies for his gallery openings. David knew from a very early age that he wanted to be an artist, and has always earned his living through art. In his early years he set up a business painting signs and he occasionally taught art, but he has never had a "real" job.

Where does he get his ideas?

David is an avid film and theatergoer. His favorite contemporary playwrights are Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter. He is also quite a fan of Shakespeare and enjoys attending the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. He listens to music while he paints (from Mozart to Gershwin to Randy Newman) and he is an avid reader (favorite authors include Samuel Beckett, John Cheever, Edith Wharton, and Alan Bennett.) These influences often find their way into his paintings. Typically, he hears a phrase in a play or a passage of music and feels compelled to translate the idea into a visual form. But, his creative process is very organic and often his finished paintings are very different from his original conceptions.

How long does it take him to complete a painting?

There's no easy answer to this question, for the creative process is mysterious. A good idea might percolate for weeks, months, or even years, but when it arrives fully formed, the painting comes quickly. While a typical painting might be completed in a week, some of his finest work has been completed in less than a day.

What mediums does he prefer?

In his early years, David painted in gouache (an opaque water-based medium) but he discovered that acrylics offered more luminosity, resulting in higher quality reproductions. Today he also works with oil paints which provide more texture and depth than acrylics. Oils also slow him down, keeping him more aware of the painting process. Most often he uses both and sometimes adds colored pencil or oil pastels. He's very flexible, allowing the painting to dictate the medium. The one medium you won't see him use is the computer.

Does he use models?

Models are essential to David's work. He prefers artificial light for its dramatic theatrical properties, and often requires unusual poses. He has "discovered" almost all of his models on the street. The model for Cinderella, who many people mistake for Julia Roberts, was actually a waitress at the local "Cup and Saucer Cafe."

Why does David use so many "animal" characters in his children's books?

David paints anthropomorphized animals to suggest human characteristics. An animal can be a great form of shorthand for personality types. When we say that someone moves like a cat or acts like a weasel, others understand us perfectly. While children enjoy his picture books, they are actually written for adults. He believes that the best children's stories are meaningful at any age, and numbers among his personal favorites Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Wind In The Willows.

Which artists have influenced his work?

David admires some artists for technique and others for imagery. He likes the technique of Parrish and Sargeant, for example, and the imagery of De Chirico and Seurat. He admires Edward Hopper on both levels. He also enjoys the Medieval school of painting for its tableaus and stylization.

How expensive are his original paintings?

His paintings are still quite affordable, generally starting at about $3000, (some original picture book illustrations can still be had for around $2000.) His paintings are very collectable and steadily increase in value, so it's difficult to predict future prices. If interested, contact Wendy Ice at delamare@teleport.com for availability and prices.

Does David accept commercial work or commissions?

Almost never. Commissions impose a structure that interferes with his fluid creative process. Therefore, his best paintings tend to be those over which he has complete creative control. Though when she requested it, he agreed to illustrate a book written by Carly Simon, he has refused dozens of similar requests (including several from celebrities.)

Can you tell me something about David Delamare's personal life?

David was born in Leicester, UK but has spent most of his life in Portland, Oregon where he enjoys the cloudy weather. Though he enjoy traveling, he has never driven a car. He sleeps late (usually until at least noon) and works deep into the night. When he's not attending films, plays, or concerts he can usually be found at home with his longtime girlfriend and his cat. He rarely makes public appearances, so if you have an opportunity to see him at a book signing or gallery opening, don't miss it.

David Delamare can be contacted via e-mail or through his website.