David Ladley Brief Bio
I've spent most of my career in the advertising business starting as a graphic designer then art director. Worked in UK as an art director. Back in Australia becoming a creative director in Brisbane. Then 10 years running my own business as a creative consultant.
After closing that business I decided to pursue personal interests including becoming passionately involved in fine art painting.
Brief CV
* Four years Brisbane Art School.
* Joined advertising agency as graphic artist becoming art director.
* Spent two years in advertising in England.
* Returned to Australia as creative director and company director.
* Started own company as creative consultant.
* Moved to Gold Coast as full time artist.
* Has painted in USA, England, New Zealand and Australia.
* A former President of Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast.
* Started Catswingers Art Painting group.
* Organised Escape Artists outdoor painting group.
* Held numerous art exhibitions. Many paintings now in private collections.
* Many of his paintings have won competition prizes -
My wife and I have live on the Gold Coast quite close to the beach. Every morning we walked to the beach to see the ocean and early morning light. We'll do small sketches in the dunes. So the coast is now part of my everyday.
Most artists can paint anything to a degree. For me it’s anything to do with the coast. It’s probably a reaction to the environment I came from, the north of England. A limited palette - light gray sky, mid gray roads and dark grey buildings. Mornings now - blue sky, sparkling blue-green water, beautiful green trees behind white sand. What a knockout.
So a series of Gold Coast Spit and Dunes paintings have been done outdoors over the last few years. Painting outdoors can be challenging, 20knot winds can be tricky, but it’s addictive. Usually smaller paintings that are done on location with bigger paintings best left to be done back in the studio. You certainly learn to paint fast doing plein air sketches.
I've now spent 20 years as a member of the Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS) Gold Coast, including 10 years on their committee, with 2 years as president of the society.
I now continue as a member of a number of art galleries and societies. Painting trip have been undertaken in the USA, Britain, NZ and of course around Australia.
I've completed many exhibitions, commissions and entered art competitions receiving over 40 awards, some of which are outlined below.
AWARDS:
* D'Arcy Doyle landscape Comp. 2019. 2nd prize.
* RQAS Brisbane. Still Life comp. 2019. 2nd prize.
* Lions Coomera Art extravaganze.2019 Hi Comm.
* Lions Heritage Bank landscape. 1st. 2019
* D'Arcy Doyle landscape Comp. 2018. 1st prize
* Lions Art Show. Highly Comm. 2018
* RQAS Overall Winner Annual show 2018
* Brookfield Show. 1st Prize Oils. 2018
* Royal Brisbane Hospital Award 1st Prize 2017
* RQAS Brisbane. Peoples Choice Award 2017
* Murwillumbah Show. 1st Prize landscape oil. 2017
* RQAS GC. 1st Prize Landscape oil. Big Art. 2017
* d'Arcy Doyle. 2nd Prize. Oil. Landscape 2016
* RQAS Peoples Choice Award 2016
* RQAS People Choice Awards Aug & Sept 2016
* RQAS March 2016 Theme Winner
* RQAS Brisbane branch. 1st Prize . 2015
* Hervey Bay Art Society. 2nd Prize. 2015
* Maryborough Art Show. 1st Prize, and Highly Comm. 2015
* RQAS Big Art Award. Highly Comm. 2015
* Gold Coast Show. Champion Painting, and 2nd Prize. 2014
* d'Arcy Doyle. Highly Comm. Oil Landscape 2013
* Maryborough Art Show. 1st Prize. 2014