"It has been my lifelong dream to be able to paint every day. Now that I am doing it, I only need to remind myself how long I had to wait and how badly I wanted it."

Artist David Forks captures the serene beauty of Texas Trans-Pecos landscapes in his artworks, focusing on the Big Bend region and the Hill Country. After his brother's passing and a profound encounter with mortality, David reflected on the fleeting nature of time and made a courageous decision to pursue his passion. He quit his job as a designer and illustrator in Houston and moved to the small, slow-paced border town of Del Rio, Texas, where he is now living his dream. He paints from his home studio filled with books, cameras, and computer equipment. In his spare time, David enjoys going on road trips, doing housekeeping chores, or binge-watching movies.

Please tell us about yourself.

I'm single, and I utilize much of my house as a studio and gallery, so I spend a lot of time alone. I stay very busy most days with my work, cooking, cleaning, hitting the gym, and tending to my yard and plants.

What are you most proud of—whether in art or another part of your life?

My grandkids come first and foremost. After them, it would have to be the body of work I have created over the last ten years or so. I taught myself to paint, starting in 2009 when I began creating daily paintings before going to work.

Do you have any studio rituals that help you get into a creative flow?

I don't really need anything to get me into a creative mood other than good energy. It has been my lifelong dream to be able to paint every day. Now that I am doing it, I only need to remind myself how long I had to wait and how badly I wanted it.

How do you structure your day?

I am an early bird, usually up between 2:00 and 3:00 am. I hit the easel as fast as possible. I'm rested, alert, with high energy and excitement to get to work. I really enjoy painting while it is quiet and dark outside, as it is very peaceful. I drink coffee and work until about 9:00 am, when I hit the gym, usually until about 10:30. Then I run errands, feed the birds, water my plants, and then try to get back to work by about noon. I paint until about 3:00 pm, then clean up and start preparing my dinner. I'm usually in bed by 8:00 pm.

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

I find inspiration in all of God's creations. I like to take photo excursions from time to time through scenic areas. I might spend an entire day or more taking hundreds of photos to use for compositions.

Tell us about your evolution as an artist.

I was a career commercial artist starting back in the 1980s. I ran my own business doing commercial illustration work until computers took over the industry in the early to mid-90s, then I went to work in the commercial printing industry until I went full-time as a painter in early 2017. I started as an oil painter but have evolved, adding acrylic and pastel work as well.

How do you decide when an artwork is finished?

If I can't find anything wrong with it, or I don't feel any more work will improve it, I set it aside for days or even weeks. During this period of time, if I don't see anything jump out at me, I call it done.

What is the most interesting observation someone has made about your work?

People are usually surprised by how much nicer my work looks in person.

What’s your favorite museum?

My Favorite museum is the Witte Museum in San Antonio, which holds the largest collection of Julian Onderdonk works.

Is there anything else you’d like to share to help viewers better understand your work?

I love the Texas Hill Country and the Texas Trans Pecos, specifically the Big Bend region of Texas. If you are familiar with and love these areas too, you will better understand my work. It's not all that I paint, but most of what I paint.