Truth in the Pursuit of Delight: Oil Paintings by David Mensing

“In my work, I focus on the innumerable factors that affect the way we perceive a scene before us. Every experience is enhanced by our perceptions. To paint literally, one would paint a clear sky with nothing but blue and white. As a painter, I strive to share my experience of the moment. Experience is more than just sight. A beautiful moment is beautiful to multiple senses. Even when it is not visible to a camera or even the naked eye, there is movement. The air moves. There is a breeze. The viewers point of reference shifts ever so slightly with each new moment. There is sound. There is aroma. Though striving to contain any beautiful moment brings wonderful assurance that the experience is too profound to ever really be contained. -David Mensing

David Mensing grew up in Iowa, surrounded by wide prairies and carefully groomed cornfields. When he moved to the West as a young man, he was captivated by its raw beauty. He currently lives in Albion, Idaho with his wife and their three children. In addition to being an artist, Mensing has worked professionally as a Camp Director and a certified white-water rafting guide and at one time he was a talented pole vaulter. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and his award winning paintings have been featured in exhibitions around the nation and are held in collections across the globe. He has studied extensively with Robert Moore and his ambition is to know and share the beauty of the natural world through his work. Mensing’s architectural background contributes to his compelling designs and numerous periodicals have highlighted his work with cover images and feature articles, including American Art Collector, Southwest Art and Western Art Collector. Recent national awards include Southwest Art 'Award of Excellence' in Icons of the West 2014 and 'Professional Juror / Best of Show' in Art and Soul 2016. 

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website