Today we’d like to introduce you to David Borzo

Hi David, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in a home immersed with art and was always happiest when drawing. My mother introduced me to many great artists and historical periods. I went to Drake University and earned BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting. My work was very personal and anchored in that art history, as well as being influenced by the art of my grandfather and great-grandfather, who were both painters.

For years I worked in art “on my own time” as my wife and I settled down in to a world of work and raising our two wonderful children. I still worked at my art, entering art competitions every year, happy to have some critical success. I also had work published in local, state and national publications.

Then in my 40’s, with some substantial life changes, I returned to Drake and earned a Masters Degree in Education in order to teach art to elementary aged children. For the last 14 years I have been living the dream, sharing my love of art with children, both at school and with students in private lessons. I still participate in several art competitions a year, and have had several one-man shows. My work continues to be very personal in nature.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

There was that long period working in business that I was discouraged with how little time I had to draw and paint. Not nearly as much as I wanted. Family life and raising children was the priority, but at times I was discouraged that I would never have enough time. I felt my skills were waning, and worried that I would not progress artistically, or even be able to maintain my skills.

But time hurries on, children grow up, and times change, those 25 years in the business world did make me feel like my art was in a state of hibernation. But now with my love of children and teaching, I am living the dream. I am immersed in creativity and the wonder of children’s art. All children are artists, and they have make me a better artist. And I now have the time to draw, paint, photography, and ceramics. I feel like I am making up for lost time, and that fuels my artistic ambitions, as well as my fascination with my grandchildren. They are my muses.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I specialize in painting, photography, and differing styles of drawing, primarily ink, charcoal, and Prismacolor colored pencils. I am known for presenting my love of art history along with multiple personal references points and and philosophical questions.

I often emulate the art of Joseph Cornell, the mid-20th century New York artist who was a master at assemblage. I have seen dozens of Cornell Boxes in museums all over the world, and they always thrill me. Just saw some in Madrid this summer. Many of my larger drawings put elements of Cornell’s three dimensional box art to work on a two-dimensional plane. I also thrill at the art of Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg, and the great Renaissance Masters of Italy and Northern Europe, the style of art I grew up with.

I love both color and black and white challenges in drawing and photography, and I go back and forth from project to project. I am dedicated to pushing the typical boundaries of stippling, a sometimes maligned art style. I work for deep, rich color and value, for a “painterly” fashion. I continue to develop that love of stippling, sometimes dwelling on the obsessive side. My charcoal and pencil work flows with the love of hatching and cross hatching, and again I can obsess with pieces for months. Pencil and charcoal work was my first love, and I never get tired of drawing drawing portraits between larger projects.

I also love photography of all kinds, abstract photography, documentation and architectural photography. Sometimes presenting twisted visions. Finally, one of my favorite things to do is to sketch artwork in museums, for hours at a time. Nobody wants to go with me to museums for six or seven hours.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

Since I took a roundabout way to reach professional happiness in art, I don’t know what advice I could offer here. But I know that there are some important things that I am learning along the way.

One: don’t be afraid to try new media and new styles. Art should entice and intrigue – and not knowing what you’re doing initially can be part of the fun. Never lose your childlike fascination with art as Picasso is to have sid, don’t forget your inner child artist.

Two: share your love of art with others. Be a player. Participate and share your talents. Take part in art groups, exhibitions and contests. Put yourself out there.

Three: if you document all your work you will have a better understanding of your progress and path. Keep files of work and refer back to them often. When you know where you’ve been, it will help you move forward and progress in art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidborzoart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dborzo