David Imlay's retro-inspired style of realism visually crackles like old analog film. Painting with oil over newsprint or patterned paper, textures and rhythms emerge from behind the non-narrative tableaux, adding a certain edge of pop.
Reminiscent of Bechtle in urbanity and a flatter geometry, David Imlay suffuses his paintings with a more nostalgic patina, proffering a quintessentially Californian vision of Americana.
David Imlay's approach to painting draws influence from twentieth century American Contemporary Realism as well as Photorealism which both emerged in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Artists such as Robert Bechtle, Richard Estes and John Register utilized a straightforward approach to representation which continues to be widely practiced in these post-abstract eras.
In his paintings of urban and suburban landscapes, the artist often asks the viewer to make a personal connection to the perceived stillness and isolation of commonplace locales. His usage of warm light and limited color are meant to conjure an emotional dissonance tinged with nostalgia and hope. “I try not to be too specific in my work and choose commonplace subjects that we see everyday but don’t necessarily ponder over. A cafe, phone booth or quiet street-these are all places we’ve been to or seen before and can easily relate to.” Born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, David first realized his passion art at an early age. He was fortunate enough to have the encouragement and support of his family and was heavily inspired by his grandfather Theron Imlay a renowned Southwest Oil and Pastel Artist. David studied Illustration at San Jose State University as well as Lorenzo De Medici in Florence, Italy. He graduated with a BFA in Illustration in 2001 and currently resides in San Francisco, where he now works as a freelance Illustrator and Fine Artist.