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David Heatwole
​Art

Artwork Archive 
​https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/david-heatwole

[email protected]

Vase of Reality, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 25" x 33"
Hydrangea, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 18" x 24"
Electric Avenue, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 16" x 24"
Priest Energy two flowers, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 33" x 25"
Time For White, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 36" x 24"
Time For Red, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 36" x 24"
Vinyard, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 36" x 24"
Energized Waterfalls, Wax and colored pencil on paper, 24" x 40"
In-Sani Tea - Mandela Blend with hint of Gladiola blossom, Oils on canvas, 40" x 30"
Artistic Statement: 

There is no doubt that life is mysterious, yet it appears that a greater creator made it all and intends for humanity to flourish in all ways that nature would if humans weren't in the way.  This being the case, most of my output consists of two-dimensional works of contemporary fine art intended as contemplative depictions of ebb and flow, the movement and transformation of an energetic world, and the interconnected paths of all things visible and unseen.  Communication with the divine is a common theme in my work, as is the one I like to think I'm having with all of humanity. I consider it my responsibility to show people there is more to the arts than mere aesthetics and entertainment.  Arts should be given the same status as "government" and more clout in society than sports, in my opinion.

But if I can pull this off, it will be my crowning artistic achievement; I am at the mercy of society; therefore, only time will tell if I will be allowed to begin this phase of my art-making mission. In several of my pieces, I make an effort to depict this goal.
When creating art, I push myself beyond my comfort zone.
Dreaming of what will come, Acrylics on canvas, 38" x 28"
Box of Portals, Oils on canvas, 36" x 24"
Blooms among the planes, Oils on canvas, 24" x 49"
Lake of shifting planes, Acrylics on canvas, 48" x 60"
Chasing the dream through shifting planes, Acrylics on canvas, 36" x 48"
Sailing with planes, Acrylics on canvas, 24" x 24"
Mountain lake of shifting planes, Acrylics on canvas, 30" x 40"
D.J. Priest (aka. David F. Heatwole) with three of his shifting planes series
Blalock Mystery, Oils on canvas, 30" x 40"
Time for Art, Oils on wood, 22" x 50"
Artistic Bio: 

The career of David Frederick Heatwole as an artist may have begun 238 years ago when his ancestors arrived in the Shenandoah Valley from Germany.  The immigrant Heatwoles were craftsmen and storytellers.  His father, a renowned sculptor of science fiction, fantasy, and folklore, fostered Heatwole’s artistic pursuits, and his mother’s carefree humor encouraged him to peruse the purity of discovery continually.  At 51 years old, David Heatwole is an eleventh-generation artist who resides and creates in the Cleveland, Ohio, area.  

 In his early career, Heatwole focused mostly on intricate, time-consuming drawings that expressed complex stories through their careful lines. While his training in commercial art and illustration did not force him out of his comfort zone into painting, it did allow him to continue telling stories and working in materials he knew and liked: pencil, charcoal, and pastels.

 It was not until he experienced one of his life’s biggest challenges in 1996 that Heatwole found the impetus to delve into a completely new artistic style. During this transition, it was as if he’d found his dormant voice. In a whirlwind of creativity, he turned anything he could get his hands on into art. His new work was prolific and more contemporary, in the style of automatic surrealism. It had an instant appeal and sold quickly.
Acknowledging his new abilities, Heatwole took the pseudonym David Johnson, to reflect the vibrant energy displayed in this new work.
       
Heatwole’s artistic career hit another turn in development when Heatwole experienced a spiritual evolution that caused him to re-think his reasons for creating art. It became clear to him that the work of David Johnson was now insufficient – it needed depth. His mission became to create art for a purpose, rather than merely for the sake of creation. Using the techniques amassed while creating under the name David Johnson, Heatwole’s work matured, now illustrating eternity and synergy. Heatwole had come full circle, again telling a story. Armed with talent, skill, and maturity, Heatwole took a pseudonym for David Johnson and began to produce work as D.J. Priest.

Pop iconography and three-dimensional paintings dominate D.J. Priest's body of work. When viewed through 3D glasses, the canvas disappears, and one feels pulled into the work of art, giving the impression that the paintings are truly three-dimensional. The deception goes beyond what is usually involved in appreciating art. Priest's innovative paintings force the viewer to go beyond the surface of things and into another dimension of reality. Art frequently prompts contemplation of the work's significance or symbolism, but Priest's most popular works inspire participation in the work itself, as well as imaginative and original ideas.
Divine Alteration, Oils on canvas, 40" x 30"
Flight of Shiva, Oils on canvas, 20" x 16"
Conjuring Shiva, Oils on canvas, 40" x 30"
18-wheeler painted by D.J. Priest in collaboration with Maryland artist Anthony Jones.
David Heatwole
​Art

Artwork Archive ​
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/david-heatwole

[email protected]

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