Artist Spotlight: David Tomb

We love getting to know birds and getting to know fellow bird nerds! Here we highlight our friend and neighbor: the talented fine artist David Tomb. His studio is just down the way from Buteo Books, and we're lucky enough to be sharing a sneak peek at current paintings-in-progress with you. 

"They still need a bit more work," David says, "but the general vibe is there."
Resplendent Quetzal, 8’ x 6’ oil on canvas

"These pictures, for me, are like 2D dioramas in terms of aesthetics, compressed space, and artificial staging. I loved dioramas as a kid (and still do) and like to think of this body of work as studies for dioramas that would never be made! Whenever I have the opportunity, I visit the American Museum of Natural History in New York for inspiration."

Ringed Kingfisher, 7’ x 5’ oil on canvas

"The images depicted are based on 'true events' but also fictionalized to a degree as well. Each painting is a group of conceived vignettes that are collaged or stitched together. I like that process as I’ve done a lot of collage over the years and I think that it adds to the diorama effect."

The studio

"Most of my work over the past 20 years has been mostly of Mexican and Philippine bird themes. I have done research at natural history museums bird collections such as The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley, California Academy of Sciences, and the AMNH. The drawings of the bird skins are a key part of my practice and I do use photography a bit for reference purposes though I’m not a keen photographer. Traveling, birding (of course), and books are also central to my approach. I use art and natural history books almost everyday and quite a few of these I have acquired from Buteo Books!"

Be sure to visit David Tomb's website and follow on Instagram to explore more of his remarkable art!