About Davis Perkins

“The experience of nature in its rawest form first inspired my paintings. As a smokejumper it was critical for me to pay careful attention to the terrain, weather and all the elements of nature. As an artist I try to use that observation in my painting to capture the look and feel of movement in the clouds and to convey the mood and atmosphere.

“I start a painting by blocking the essential values from dark to light, while keeping the source of light consistent. I try to capture the basic essence of the subject matter so that it reads as a realistic image.

“I work in plein air and in the studio. I like to paint rather loosely. I often start by brushing on a wash of color, and then use a palette knife to add texture and detail. The palette knife helps me to work quickly, to stay loose and spontaneous so that I don’t overwork the subject.

“Many artists have inspired me, including the legendary painters Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Frank Wooten and Robert Henri. I have also been influenced by contemporary artists Richard Schmid, Matt Smith, and Lynn Boggess.”

—Davis Perkins

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M E M B E R S H I P S

Oil Painters of America, Signature Member
California Art Club, Artist Member

E D U C A T I O N

1978                Bachelor’s Degree, Fine Arts, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
1974-75          Pacific Northwest School of Art, Portland, Oregon

S E L E C T E D   C O L L E C T I O N S

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.
Alaska State Museum, Juneau, Alaska
U.S. Air Force Art Collection, The Pentagon
National Park Foundation, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Fairbanks, Alaska
U. S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C.
University of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon

S O L O   E X H I B I T I O N S

2016                ‘A Purposeful Life,’ Dominican University, San Rafael, CA
1995                William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
1994                Maxmillian Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1989                ‘The Modern Landscape,’ Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1983                Smithsonian Institution, National Air & Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
1981                Alaska State Museum, Juneau, Alaska
1981                University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska

S E L E C T E D    E X H I B I T I O N S

2019                108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, CA
2019                ‘Virtuosos of the Oil Painters of America,’ Cutter & Cutter Fine Art, St. Augustine, FL
2018                Featured Artist, Marinscapes, Juried Exhibition, Larkspur, CA
2018                107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Santa Paula Art Museum, Santa Paula, CA
2015                ‘Virtuosos of the Oil Painters of America,’ Salamagundi Club, New York City, NY
2014                Featured Guest Artist, Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
2014                Telluride and Aspen Plein Air Festival
2013                Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, InSight Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX
2012                Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, Evergreen CO
2011                Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Devin Gallery, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
2009-19         Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Juried Exhibition,  Point Reyes, CA
2009-19         Marinscapes, Juried Exhibition, Larkspur, CA
2006-07         Sonoma Plein Air, Juried Exhibition, Sonoma, CA
2002               13 Artists Address Landscapes’ Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
1990-93         Sausalito Arts Festival, Juried Exhibition, Sausalito, CA
1990                ‘California Landscapes,’ Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
1988-92          National Park Academy of the Arts, ‘Top One Hundred,’ National Museum Tour (8 times selected)
1989               ‘The Modern Landscape, Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA

P U B L I C A T I O N S
2000                Rachel Wolf, Art From the Parks, F and W Publishers
2000                Murray Taylor, Jumping Fire (maps, photos, artwork, journal entries), Harcourt Education
2000                Smithsonian Institution National Air & Space Museum, Christmas Card
1986                ‘Smokejumper Artist: The Work of Davis Perkins,’  Alaska Journal: History and Arts of the North (Vol. 16)
1984                Cover Illustration, Alaska Flying Magazine
1983                Honorable Mention, ‘The Golden Age of Flight,’ Smithsonian Institution