Proudly Canadian. Creatively Tenacious. Artist-owned & Operated.
A Lifetime of Creativity. A Journey Shared.
Discover the art, ideas, and reflections of David Currie — artist, creative coach, and tenacious explorer of imagination.
THE ONLINE HOME FOR ARTIST DAVID CURRIE
Upcoming Exhibition （Oct. 24 to Nov. 18, 2026)
Introduction: Patterns That Aren’t
My artistic journey began in the early 1970s in the Fine Art Program at HB Beal (London, Ontario, under Herbert Ariss). It was then followed by several semesters in the Studio Program at the Banff Centre (1978/79, under Takeo Tanabe). Combined, these experiences provided a unique creative foundation.
However, there were unanswered questions. Did my work really held much relevance. Was there a purpose? These questions ultimately altered the direction of my life. And, in hindsight, facing these issues was undoubtedly the right thing to do.
Though my personal interests in art continued, the 1980s brought opportunities for growth beyond the struggles of pursuing life as an artist.
For example, I trained as a Registered Nurse, eventually working in a neurosurgical operating room. Later, I spent several years in Hong Kong, earned an MBA, and gained corporate experience. Finally, I worked in Shenzhen, China, in various capacities as a company trainer, coach, and teacher.
Around 2016, strong interests in refining skills for maintaining audience engagement started drawing me back to my creative roots. Whether working with managers or high school students, if my audiences weren’t engaged, I was just wasting time. I also realized that these principles could be applied to my artistic interests.
As these ideas solidified, I began to view “creativity” synonymously with “audience engagement.” This was when a personal sense of artistic purpose really began taking shape. When an image “imprints” in the mind of the viewer, an emotional attachment between viewer and image evolves. Ultimately, that has become my purpose; my goal, and my vision. It is the “why” I get up each morning.
Now, in late 2026, as I reflect on this life-long journey, I’m delighted to share a few recent highlights of my artistic output. This show, titled “Patterns That Aren’t,” intends to showcase about 23 artworks that attempt to engage through a mix of skill, ever evolving techniques, and a bit of visual science.
Creative Journey
Metaphorically, like a sea turtle, I have spent a lifetime silently and methodically swimming the cultural oceans of both North America and Asia. Currents have led me to many shores, and collectively these experiences have helped to provide a purpose—a rational reason for my tenacity to keep developing creatively and to continuously produce art!
About David
Objective/Purpose: To utilise a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative thinker, trainer, and coach, in a manner that engages individuals, organisations, and/or communities.
Strengths
- Fully developed artist, creative thinker and
Instructor/coach with experience as public speaker/presenter
- Strong business acumen, able to manage creative projects
Education/Certificates
- Special Art Programme (1975) H.B. Beal, London, Ontario
- Studio Programme in Art (1979), The Banff Centre
Corporate Communications (1995) Seneca College
- Masters of Business Admin. (1999) University of Ottawa
Interests/achievements
- Several exhibitions/art showings
- Active in the visual arts with proficiency in various photo/video-editing tools, layout and design, conventional paint mediums, etc.; drawing/painting, creative thinking instruction/seminars
- Chinese Studies: formally at Shenzhen University (2011 to 2012), informally (ongoing)
David's New Projects
Working drawings/experiments for developing a sense of atmosphere.
To view the complete portfolio of work, click ”View More”, or have a look at David’s blog.
September 25, 2025
Title: Dragon “Atmospherism” No. 2, Setting Sun over the PearlRiver Delta
Medium: Digital Image
Software: Procreate
Hardware: iPad
Objective: Based on my thesis/idea that, if pattern arrangements (according to the placement of aperiodic mono-tiles) do (in fact) work as a vehicle to increase visual engagement. Then, the pattern can be somehow inlaid or used as a vehicle/tool to increase engagement with almost any image.
In my opinion, this is no more radical/or cuckoo than using colour theory or composition (or some other instrument) as tools to increase visual engagement.
Anyway, to add, the pattern doesn’t have to be the primary focus of the image. In this example (along with the last post), what is being attempted is to bury/insert the pattern into “a feeling/sense of atmosphere.”
Excuse a little more blah, blah, blah, blah, but it is also my feeling/opinion that the interplay between the pattern images and the picture can be used as a type of visual vocabulary to imply other things !!!
Will be returning to the studio soon, where these images can be turned into physical artwork!
August, 2025: What’s behind the new images?
I’ve been finding that the aperiodic mono-tiles can be used (manipulated) in a way that creates a sense of depth. This raises a question: Can this non-repetitive (appearing as if images are somewhat randomly placed) pattern be tweaked, to create a sense of “atmosphere”?
This is now the focus of the next stage.
Creativity
David Currie: Artist, Designer, Creative Thinker.
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