David A. Leffel is a twentieth-century artist who paints in the classic Flemish/Dutch old master style, much in the manner of Rembrandt or Chardin. His subject matter is still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and figures, but the real subject of his work is the light as it gently drifts from one object to another. It pauses here, then moves on. Light is, in fact, what Leffel calls “the concept” of the painting.
For David, beauty is absolute, perfect and universal. He believes the goal of the artist is to understand beauty and to translate its essence upon the canvas. His art reflects this constant striving to expand this understanding, and, his artistic application of the knowledge.
Since beauty is absolute, and not relative to the artist, art is timeless. Although Leffel's works remind us of the Dutch Baroque painters, he is a master of light and shadow. Even Leffel's simplest still lifes are dramatic, and fill us with a profound sense of awe. We must appreciate the art of David A. Leffel on its own terms, and not try to apply stylistic associations to his work. The beauty we see and feel on a Leffel canvas testifies to his understanding and talent.
Born in New York City, Leffel attended both Parsons School of Design and Fordham University. In 1959 and 1960 he studied at the Art Students League, New York City on a Merit Scholarship. In addition to his many one-man gallery shows, Leffel's work has been exhibited in numerous important group and museum shows.
Statement of Purpose:
"Art is an expression of unity and universality, not temporal factors. It is a means of reaffirming life, of overcoming confusion..."
For David, beauty is absolute, perfect and universal. He believes the goal of the artist is to understand beauty and to translate its essence upon the canvas. His art reflects this constant striving to expand this understanding, and, his artistic application of the knowledge.
Since beauty is absolute, and not relative to the artist, art is timeless. Although Leffel's works remind us of the Dutch Baroque painters, he is a master of light and shadow. Even Leffel's simplest still lifes are dramatic, and fill us with a profound sense of awe. We must appreciate the art of David A. Leffel on its own terms, and not try to apply stylistic associations to his work. The beauty we see and feel on a Leffel canvas testifies to his understanding and talent.
Born in New York City, Leffel attended both Parsons School of Design and Fordham University. In 1959 and 1960 he studied at the Art Students League, New York City on a Merit Scholarship. In addition to his many one-man gallery shows, Leffel's work has been exhibited in numerous important group and museum shows.
Statement of Purpose:
"Art is an expression of unity and universality, not temporal factors. It is a means of reaffirming life, of overcoming confusion..."
National Professional Awards:
1990 Gold Medal Oil, National Academy of Western Art
1986 Gold Medal Oil, Allied Artists of America
1984 Grand Prize, American Artists Professional League
1983 First Prize Oil, Art Annual IV
1982 Ralph Fabri Medal, Allied Artists of America
1981 Gold Medal Oil, National Academy of Western Art
1981 Gold Medal of Honor, Hudson Valley Art Association
1980 Best Light and Atmospheric Effect, Hudson Valley Art Association
1979 Marcia H. Van Der Voort Award, Hudson Valley Art Association
1979 American Artists Society Award, Pastel Society of America
1978 Margaret Fernald Dole Memorial Award, Hudson Valley Art Association
1977 Thora Jensen Memorial Award, Hudson Valley Art Association
1977 Jane Peterson Award, Allied Artists of America
1975 John Newington Award, Hudson Valley Art Association
1974 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1973 Cash Award, Grumbacher Artists' Materials Co., Allied Artists of America
1972 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1971 National Arts Club Prize, Allied Artists of America
1970 W.G. Matchette Prize, National Watercolor Centennial
1970 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1969 Maria Cantarella Memorial Award, Allied Artists of America
1968 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1967 Best Still Life, Pennational Annual
1966 First Honorable Mention, Pennational Annual
1966 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1965 H.E. Ogden Campbell Memorial Prize, Hudson Valley Art Association
1964 Frank Vincent DuMond Prize, Salmugundi Club
1964 Archer M. Huntington Prize Best Portrait, Hudson Valley Art Association
1963 Salmagundi Club Prize, Salmugundi Club
2004 – An Artist Teaches, David Leffel
1984 - Oil Painting Secrets from a Master, Cateura/Leffel
Books in which artist or works are featured:
1982 - Artists of the Rockies and the Golden West
1977 - Painting Women's Portraits by Joe Singer
1977 - Painting Men's Portraits by Joe Singer
TEACHING:
1973-74 Summit Art Center, Summit, NJ - Still Life and Portraiture
1971 - Present Art Students League, NY - Life Drawing, Painting, Portraiture, Figure and Composition
1958-62 American Association of Psychiatry and Religion, NY - Life Drawing
Scottsdale Artist's School - Workshop
Pallete and Chisel, Chicago
Indianapolis Art Center
George Washington University
Fredericksburg Artist's School - Workshop
Fechin Institute
Denver Art Student's League
California Art Institute
Art Student's League, New York
American University
Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art
© David A. Leffel
Posts
