St. Paul artist Derek Davis: The public is invited to meet the artist at an opening reception at the gallery on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. In his work Davis strives for a feeling of spontaneity. He wants the viewer to be able to experience the painting process by seeing the brush strokes. While his work is impressionistic, he wants it to feel authentic.

In his work Davis strives for a feeling of spontaneity. He wants the viewer to be able to experience the painting process by seeing the brush strokes. While his work is impressionistic, he wants it to feel authentic.

A second generation artist, Davis says that his last formal art training was in childhood. Both his parents were artists—his father a professional sculptor, his mother a landscape painter. Early exposure to art led to his appreciation for the visual. Beginning with the fundamentals of drawing, leading to composition, design, application, progressing to communication of meaning, his artistic development has been one of continual study.

“I have been led down this path by God, and have come to realize becoming an artist is a lifelong journey,” Davis said.