Born in the picturesque city of Edinburgh in 1959, David Motion’s artistic journey has been marked by a lifelong dedication to capturing the beauty of the natural world. From his early years at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, where he honed his skills and won acclaim for his drawings, to his later career as a seasoned art educator and prolific painter, Motion’s work has been characterized by a deep reverence for the landscapes and seascapes that surround him.
Motion’s artistic career began with exhibitions at prestigious galleries in Dundee, where his etchings and oil paintings caught the attention of critics and collectors alike. His involvement with the Dundee Printmakers Workshop and membership in the Dundee Group further solidified his reputation as a rising talent in the art world.
In 1985, Motion’s career took an unexpected turn when he was offered a position at Dundee University Botanical Gardens, where he specialized in creating plant and flower illustrations. This experience deepened his appreciation for floral subjects, which had been a recurring theme in his earlier works.
A move to the Outer Hebrides saw Motion immerse himself in the rugged landscapes and ancient monuments of Lewis and Barra, where he spent his spare time painting and drawing the breathtaking scenery. His experiences in these remote locales served as a wellspring of inspiration for his later works.
Motion’s career as an art educator took him to various schools across the UK, from North London to Somerset and Bristol. Throughout his teaching tenure, he continued to pursue his passion for painting, exhibiting his works at galleries such as the Morven Gallery on Lewis and the Thackeray Gallery in Kensington.
Motion’s art is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a deep commitment to direct observation. Whether painting large oil canvases in his studio or capturing the delicate beauty of flowers in watercolor, he approaches each subject with reverence and precision.
Inspired by his encounters with Neolithic stone circles and the natural wonders of the Scottish coastline, Motion’s paintings and watercolors evoke a sense of timelessness and tranquility. His compositions, often featuring intricate arrangements of shells, seaweed, and beach stones, reflect his keen eye for detail and his ability to find beauty in the smallest of natural objects.
As Motion continues to explore the boundless possibilities of artistic expression, his work serves as a testament to the enduring power of nature to inspire and captivate the human spirit. Through his art, he invites viewers to embark on a journey of discovery, where the wonders of the natural world are brought to life on canvas with skill and sensitivity.
