By Julie Osterman
Although Colorado artist David Harms has logged more years as a professional drummer and actor than as a painter, art has always been a part of his life. As a child growing up in Witchita, KS, he loved to draw and was inspired by artist greats such as Norman Rockwell. Harms got his first oil-painting kit at age 14 and has been painting on and off ever since. It wasn’t until about four years ago that Harms “got some direction,” thanks to a conversation with Colorado painter Michael Lynch. “He gave me the goods, so to speak,” Harms says.
Now the artist, who primarily paints landscapes, has delved into the art world head first—his first big triumph being the inclusion of one of his works in the Top 100 at the 2001 Arts for the Parks show in Jackson Hole, WY. In addition to painting, Harms is still playing drums regularly and acting on screen and in the theater. “All these different art forms complement each other,” he explains. But lately Harms has had trouble driving down the road without pulling over to capture a scene on canvas. “Once that started happening, I knew I was in for the long haul,” he says. Harms is represented by Abend Gallery, Denver, CO; Silver Maple Gallery, Waco, TX; Wichita Gallery of Fine Art, Wichita, KS; and Meadowlark Gallery, Billings, MT.
Featured in “Artists to Watch” February 2004