David’s Bio

Narrative Returns

After graduation from college, David Garman took employment as an apprentice sign painter and silk screen printer. You could find him at town festivals sketching charcoal portraits for a pittance. He accepted unusual freelance commissions. Portraying college sports coaches for printing on paper grocery bags, even designing collectable belt buckles featuring John Deere tractors.

Practice, practice…

At the height of his commercial career, Garman’s carvings in expanded polyurethane were published nationally in the industry magazine Signs of the Times. This article was followed by a regional feature in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Yet these success stories seemed oddly hollow.

A Meaningful Kind of Art

A life of experience was chosen over secure employment and a safe bank account. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1993, Garman and his bride Tamra found themselves in Munich on a Sunday afternoon with no particular plans.

They decided on a visit to a place called the Alte Pinakothek. David was entirely unaware of the impact this impromptu decision would have on his future.

Implementing a New Philosophy

Art, what does it have to say? Is it our task to act as a witness?

At times these expressions may involve risk. Garman maintains there is often a little trepidation in connection with the work. “One should not become too comfortable.”

After 5 years painting in various cities, Garman was offered a place in a 1999 show. They titled it 3 Iowa Painters. A Wartburg College associate professor and an Art Institute of Chicago trained artist from Iowa City joined him at this Cedar Rapids venue, CSPS.

7 months later and with 7 paintings completed, Garman saw his first solo. A 7 week show titled David Garman: A Prophecy in Paint, opened 8 January 2000 in the Iowa Gallery of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, was contracted.

Narrow Passage

Spiced with a touch of drama. A barrier was wall installed, leaving a narrow passage on either side to access the gallery.

Not long after the opening, a call came. There was to be an interview at the museum. Well-known columnist, Dave Rasdal was in the gallery among Garman’s paintings. A photographer was there too with light stands for difficult shots. It was an intense and lengthy interview which would appear as a feature in the following Sunday Gazette.

In the months after your show was taken down, people are still taking about you.

One of the museum staff asked to talk with David privately. “In the months after your show was taken down, people are still talking about you.” Adding that they had held a meeting as to why this particular show was so successful. “I thought you would like to know that”, he said.

The small collection went on the road the same year to New York City and Montreal, Quebec.

Highlights from that time frame came very quickly. Looking back, David was admittedly more than a bit naive as to what had actually happened.

Research and Invention

The Summer of 2009 saw Garman’s solar energy ideas come to fruition. Members of his coffee klatsch convinced him to show the prototype which had been cloistered for years in the corner of his studio.

Following meetings with 2 University of Iowa engineering professors, it was selected as a choice for a senior finals project that year. Enthusiasm dimmed as a letter stated that students were hesitant to take this project because Garman had no degree in engineering.

In 2011-12 Garman wrote a book on the evidence of an etymological relationship between Celtic, Germanic and Hebraic languages.

Life gets in the way of art.

Following a move to the country and an inventive streak, a volley of crisis events came. The joy of discovery turned to despair. It seemed somehow creative energy was poured out onto the ground. But they also say that what does not kill you, makes you stronger.

Beginning Again

Inspired to answer a call for artists, Garman painted an oil on panel for a WWI commemorative show in 2018. Finding it so well received, he accepted an offer to do a solo hosted by the Amana Arts Guild. It was titled Tour de Force, opened July 11, of 2019, and ran through September 2.

“Powerfully Elemental”

“I paint what I see regardless of pervasive politics”, Garman said… “and sometimes the meaning of various components present in my work are not immediately known to me.”

Viewers are heard exclaiming… the ability, the energy, stunning, powerful, a symphony, about to burst onto the international scene! All from critics, professors, curators, writers and directors. Art historians are among the experts mentioning some of the most important American and European artists when commenting on Garman’s work… Benton, Currey, Grunewald, even Munch.