David Perez Escudero received his first oil painting set at the age of 12. He still has the paint set, the empty tubes and worn brushes as a reminder of where his love of painting began.  He is inspired by the dramatic New Mexico landscape.

David was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, which is located in the high plateau of the Northeastern Great Plains near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. He intimately knows the Velarde apple orchards, the chamisa growing around Santa Fe, and he hikes the mountains and mesas of the area as he has done since his youth.

While studying art, mathematics and science at New Mexico Highlands University David was influenced by his art teacher Elmer Schooley. He also studied art at the University of Madrid and spent long hours at the El Prado Museum where he enjoyed the art of Velasquez, Goya and Rembrandt. Other major influences on his art are Manet, Monet, Bonnard and Cezanne.

In his own words he says “I am trying to capture the vital energy that exists in nature by using my micro-palette technique. This process creates many layers of paint which leave little fractures on the surface which bring out the colors from previous layers of paint. The texture created produces micro shadows which cause the colors on the surface to change in intensity, depending on the time of day and the light source. I apply each color in layers through the whole surface of the painting in order to achieve a unity of design. In nature every color is affected by the colors that surround it. I carry this principle in my painting so that each visible part reflects every other part of my painting. This gives my paintings a three dimensional effect.”

David has participated in many art markets and shows for the past forty years. In 2003 he received the Best of Show Award and in 2006 Best of Fine Art Award from the Los Alamos National Bank and Southwest Magazine at the Annual Hispanic Contemporary Market in Santa Fe. His work is widely collected by private collectors and corporations, and is in public collections such as the Museum of Art in Albuquerque and the New Mexico State Capital in Santa Fe.

David now lives in Santa Fe and his studios are in both Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Bachelor of Fine Arts – New Mexico Highlands University

Master’s Degree in Mathematics

Minor Degree – Secondary Education

Doctoral Math Program – University of New Mexico

1983/84: Founder of Las Vegas Associated Galleries and organizer of the Southwest Cultural Festival, Las Vegas, N. M.

1979: La Confradia de Arte y Artesanos Hispanicos Exhibition, Taos, N. M.

1980: Mi Tierra Encantada Solo Primere Artist Show, La Galeria de Colores, Las Vegas, N.M.

1983: Feria Artesana, Albuquerque, N. M. Convention Center

1983: Studio Opening Gallery Exhibition, Plaza Vieja Gallery, Las Vegas, N.M.

1984: Las Vegas Associated Art Galleries Show, La Galeria de Dolores, Las Vegas, N.M.

1984: Studio Gallery Exhibition, Plaza Vieja Gallery, Las Vegas, N.M.

1990: Santa Fe Center Arts Invitational, Santa Fe, N.M.

1991: Recudero de la Confadaria, Commemorating the Hispanic Art Renaissance,

Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, N.M.

1993-present:  Hispanic Contemporary Market, Santa Fe, N. M.

2001-2006: Devotional Art Show, Roy Drew Gallery, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, N.M.