Deia artist David Templeton at The ResiJuly 21, 2015

Deia artist David Templeton has an exhibition at The Resi opening Saturday 25 July. The show, at the hotel’s Sa Tafona gallery, will feature David’s drawings and paintings.

“I do something at The Resi every year,” David says, “and it’s always great for me. They’re very supportive. This year I’ll be showing paintings and drawings of figures and heads. Back views of women who’ve modelled for me, portraits of friends and some rock and roll inspired lithographs.”

Loosening up

Visitors to the exhibition can expect to view work from David in a more relaxed style. Recently, he says, he’s been doing a lot of charcoal drawing. “It’s a great antidote for when I feel my drawing is getting a bit tight,” David explains. “Charcoal drawing is, by its nature, loose and expressive and it gives me a sense of freedom all over again.”

Drawing with charcoal is a continuation of a process David began last year when he took a break from the studio and ventured outside, into the landscape of Deia. This was something David hadn’t done in quite a while but painting clouds and doing pastels of olive trees began to free up his style.

Freedom is very important for David. It’s what he loves most about Deia. “The village allows me the freedom to do whatever I want, which happens to be painting and music. I can choose peace and tranquillity for my painting and, when I want to, I can let rip socially with my music.”

Still studying the masters

Like all serious artists, David is constantly studying painting. “I’ve still got a long way to go,” he says. “I’m obsessed with all the masters of chiaroscuro – people like Caravaggio and Rembrandt. In recent years, I’ve fallen totally in love with Cezanne and, for his collages, Rauschenberg. But, of course, I’m constantly seeing what’s out there. I don’t want to get entrenched.”

(As a Facebook friend of David’s, I’ll testify to his ongoing fascination with the image, whether painted or photographed. Every morning, when I open Facebook there’s always an image or ten. They pop up throughout the day and are always a pleasure to look at.)

In good company

Should you be tempted to buy David’s work – and I’d highly recommend it – you’ll be in good company. A number of well-known people have invested in a painting or drawing, including Michael Douglas, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Geldof, Spike Milligan, Pierce Brosnan, David Thewless, Anna Friel and members of The Corrs.

I wonder if they made the short trip over from The Resi to David’s house – easy to find because his work’s on display on the patio – knocked on the door and sat down with the man himself.

Once again, I’d suggest you do the same. You will, of course, be going to view David’s work but you’ll also have the enormous pleasure of his company. He’s a great raconteur and tells some of the funniest stories I’ve ever heard, many about Deia. Many unprintable.

David’s work is permanently on display at the Es Puig hotel near the church and also in the Village Café.

Don’t forget Pa amb oli on 24 July

The Pa amb oli band, “the most famous unknown rock and roll band in the world” will be playing on the lawn at The Resi from around 9.30 on Friday 24 July. The band’s on great form and it’s sure to be a fantastic night.

See you there.

Links

A taste of David’s inimitable brand of art and rock and roll obsessiveness

The Resi