Meet Dave Newman | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Anaheim, California. I believe living in Southern California was a big influence on me because of the access to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Marineland and the accompanying motels and restaurants with their cool neon signs and bright colors. I have dyslexia and had a hard time concentrating in school and I think I was much more interested in visual learning and had the opportunity to experience the beaches, car and motorcycle culture and this started my interest in design and color. This imagery stayed with me when I became an artist and I had already started collecting vintage items and taking photos of old signs and places before they were torn down. I still use these images in my art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Before becoming an artist at 32, my wife and I started a silk screen business and then a costume jewelry company. So when I started my artist career the previous knowledge we gained owning those two companies helped us navigate the business world. We did outdoor juried art shows for eleven years and then got off the road and opened a retail art gallery that we owned for 18 years.
I am represented by six art galleries in the Western United States and I work closely with the Fender Custom Shop creating playable art guitars and am featured in their books and calendars.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Downtown Prescott is the heart of our town where the history of the area is represented mainly on Whiskey Row. The oldest operating bar in Arizona, The Palace Saloon is a perfect place to start. Sharlot Hall Museum and the Elks Theatre are worth a visit too. Eateries we like are Lazy G Brewery, El Gato Azul and Plaza Liquor Deli. There are many galleries and shops worth checking out all around the Courthouse Plaza in the center of town. Prescott is also known for its hiking and biking trails as well as several lakes to explore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I would like to thank my wife Donna for all her support over the years. I would like to thank artists before me for leaving a road map of what to do and what not to do and the inspiration that they have given me.

Website: www.davenewmanart.com
Instagram: @davenewmangallery
Facebook: Dave Newman