David Dunlop - Quest for Radiance

What does it feel like when sunlight stretches across a marsh? How does color shimmer on the surface of drifting leaves? How do the lights of a city merge into a glowing symphony? Can a painting convey the luminance changes we experience in nature?

“Radiance—revealing it, reveling in it, exploring it—that is my quest.” David Dunlop’s solo show, Quest for Radiance, is a dynamic exploration of light, movement, and perception. Dunlop layers semi-transparent pigments on reflective surfaces to create a spectrum of effects that evoke the way we visually immerse ourselves in nature.

“I incorporate the Purkinje effect,” he explains, “where cooler colors intensify and warmer tones recede in dimmer light—balanced with value contrasts, my paintings remain vibrant in both bright and low light, allowing the viewer to experience shifting times of day in the same painting.”

Come experience the show in person as David’s paintings come alive before the viewer’s eyes. Blending realism with abstraction, and drawing from science, art history, and plein air observation, he paints the experience of light in motion—sunlight, reflections, shifting luminance across marshes and reflective waters where leaves and stones are visible through layers of translucent glazes, and the glowing symphony of city lights in his vibrant New York City scenes. Depending on the light and when you view them, the paintings reveal something new - inviting moments of quiet discovery with each glance.

Opening Reception – Friday, June 6, 5–8 p.m.
Join us for the opening night of Quest for Radiance, a remarkable new solo exhibition by David Dunlop. Meet the artist, hear his thoughts on the paintings, and enjoy an evening of art, conversation, hors d’oeuvres, and wine. Free and open to all.

Artist Walkthrough & Live Painting Demonstration – Saturday, June 21
Experience David Dunlop’s creative process firsthand during this special two-part event. From 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., David will lead a walkthrough of his exhibition, offering insights into his inspiration, techniques, and unique materials. Then, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., step into the gallery garden for a live oil painting demonstration on laminated aluminum of "Big Skies and Bright Clouds Sailing over Connecticut Shores" as David simultaneously shares his knowledge of color theory and the art historical traditions that inform his work.