Behind the Art with Dave Huddleston

January 3, 2022

Today I am sitting with Dave Huddleston to go behind the art and ask what inspired him to paint a few of his works. One of the goals we have at 5 Heart Finds is to find inspiration in the beauty of nature and your artwork really exemplifies that. Can you tell us what inspired you?

"A Moment of Glory" by Dave Huddleston, 2021

I am mostly inspired by nature. "A Moment of Glory" was from a photo I took along the road in Silver Falls State Park near my hometown of Silverton, Oregon. This stump with the lush foliage and colorful flowers stood out from the many trees around it as if it were saying, "paint me!"

"Coastal Village" by Dave Huddleston, 2021

Besides nature, some other favorite subjects are old buildings, old houses and barns, old cars, and old, unpaved roads. I was thinking of the quaint, little town of Bodega Bay when I painted "Coastal Village- as how it may have looked many years ago, except with a new Ford truck and no bird issues!

"Utah Landscape" by Dave Huddleston, 2021

I can also be inspired when spotting something that is already well-composed. For instance, "Utah Landscape" was from a photo a friend took while on his honeymoon. I liked the contrast of the earth colors and the snow still on the road. The two paths seemed to draw me into the photo as if begging me to be explored.

"Hillside Vineyard" by Dave Huddleston, 2021

"Paint what you know" is the mantra for many artists. Living in the Napa Valley, I have painted many vineyard scenes. Each season beckons to be captured with rich colors, textures, and even the starkness of winter vines. Old winery buildings and quaint villas add romantic flavor.

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