Presences Print

The process of creating a finished painting for me is a journey of discovery and a balance between intention and chance, between planned and unplanned, between accident and control. I strive to capture a high degree of subtlety and mystery in my abstract paintings. This creative challenge nourishes me and satisfies me on many levels, occasionally driving me slightly crazy! Born in the south of Scotland, David Drain’s studio and home are in a village on the edge of the Black Forest in the South of Germany, close to the Swiss art city of Basel. The subtle interplay of natural light has always held a fascination for David. Growing up in the Southern Uplands region in Scotland, David experienced the variations in the quality of light and weather on the intensity, subtlety and richness of the landscape. Ruins of abandoned factories and ancient stone buildings, with their fascinating storied surfaces, crumbling structures, subtle shades of old walls and aged wood, patina and rust have all proved sources of lasting inspiration.