David DeVary has been described as a “New West” artist. He uses symbols of the American West to express universal emotions and themes, especially attitude. He surrounds his contemporary cowboys and cowgirls with silver, gold and copper metallic leaf, so that the images become more of a romanticized icon rather than a depiction of the reality of a particular person, place or time. DeVary contrasts gloss and glitter of copper and gold leafing with layering on of glazes, spackling and other mixed media. This gives his work an earthy, familiar feel while at the same time it evokes an ‘other worldly’, heroic, timeless quality.
DeVary paints introspective, idealized and sometimes provocative figures, capturing and combining the good feelings associated with the Western myth and the American Dream. His use of bright yellow slickers, hats that shield the eyes, antique chaps, and the cowboy’s own natural body language helps create a striking, unique almost ethereal portrait of the American cowboy and cowgirl.
“I’m not painting history; rather, I’m trying to capture the mythical American West the way we’d like it to be in museums and galleries from Chicago to Yountville, from Paris to Santa Fe. I love what I’m doing and I hope you like it too.” – David DeVary, Santa Fe, NM
