​

Born in the UK, in the heavy industrial town of Middlesbrough, N. Yorkshire. From an early age Dave had a passion and gift for art, drew everyday while dreaming of becoming an artist.  At 15 yrs of age he was dissuaded from becoming an artist and directed instead into the local engineering industry, Dave had an extremely varied and interesting career in engineering which involved travelling the World. In 1988 the family emigrated to Perth, Western Australia

In 2008 Dave's wife Sandra pushed him to start painting and as soon as he walked into the art room his passion for art was reignited. Dave remembers how his fingers tingled with excitement.

In 2012, Dave started painting in water colours and fell in love with this most challenging and rewarding of mediums. He soon realised that art was what he truly loved, so decided to quit engineering to become a full time artist.

Dave's subject matter is eclectic - busy, dynamic outdoor scenes involving, people, musicians, boats, water, cafe scenes, colour, monotone, sea and landscapes.  Dave works with all the art mediums. He loves nothing better than to sit with a coffee and people watch, doing quick sketches of people sitting or walking by. He has travelled extensively to study and paint in Europe and Australia with many of his favourite Internationally renowned artists and whilst admiring their skills and techniques ensures he continues to develop his own unique style

                                                              AWARDS

Mar 2023 - Beverley WA Annual Art Exhibition - Highly commended

Oct 2021 - Down Under Plein ir Exhibition - Winner of Peoples Choice Award

Oct 2021 - Down Under Plein Air event - Winner of Quick Draw competition

Oct 2019 - WA Watercolour Society Annual Exhibition - Sponsor's Choice

Oct 2019 - WA Watercolour Society Annual Exhibition - Highly Commended

Aug 2019 - Perth Pastel Society - Annual Exhibition - Highly Commended

Mar 2019 - WA  Watercolour Annual Exhibition Plein Air - Highly Commended

Jun 2018 - International Watercolours Plein Air Competition - MACCAGNO ITALY placed Third

Mar 2018 - Beverley WA Annual Arts Exhibition - Highly Commended

Oct 2017 -  WA Watercolour Annual Exhibition - Highly Commended

Apr 2017 -  West Australia Society of Arts - Plein Air Competition - Winner

Aug 2016 - Perth Pastel Society   -  Annual Exhibition - Highly Commended

Jun  2015 - WA Watercolour Society    Plein Air Competition -  Winner

May 2015 - Mandurah Crab Festival  - Plein Air competition  - Winner

Aug 2014 - Perth Pastel Society - Annual Exhibition  -  Runner up

Apr 2013  - West Australia Society of Arts  - Plein Air Competition - Winner                                                                                             DEMOS / WORKSHOPS

Demo artist for an International audience of Artists at Maccagno Italy. As part of the 2018 International Watercolour Sympossium.  My demos and Workshops are very popular as they are fun filled, dynamic with a large slice of humour thrown in. Audiences leave inspired and eager to paint

                                                             PAINTINGS

My paintings hang in Australia, England, USA, Canada, Bahrain, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and several in the personnel collection of an Ex Governor of Perth’s home

                                                             JUDGING

 Experienced judge. Please contact me on davidaconlin@gmail.com

​