Colorado painter Dave Stout was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. After moving to Denver at the age of six, Dave's interest in art began to develop. Many summers were spent camping and fishing in the mountains of Colorado, where Dave developed a tremendous appreciation for the landscape.

Dave's formal training began at Rocky Mountain School of Art and Design. He studied there for a year and a half. The main emphasis was in commercial art which Dave became disenchanted with. Dave went to work as a custom picture framer in a gallery in Denver. There he met a co-worker who had attended the American Academy in Chicago.

This artist, who specialized in landscapes, encouraged Dave to come outdoors painting with him. "I stood there looking at the incredible color and light in awe. The excitement began to grow and grow. As I began to paint that first landscape I knew this is what I wanted to pursue with passion." After many starts, and more than adequate amounts of failures, Dave knew studying and painting the landscape would be a lifelong pursuit.  

"I realized with these challenges there would be many obstacles. However, I have learned more from my paintings that have not been successfully completed than from the successes I've had."  

"Working in the studio is very helpful in more deliberate planning of design, color and value, but in painting outdoors, everything is changing, and it forces you to work loosely and rapidly to capture the fleeting moments of that particular experience. That loose, spontaneous quality of painting on location is so alive and exciting." 

Dave primarily works in pastels and oils. The approach to each media is basically the same. Their rapid application qualities and intense color make both medias conducive to Plein Air painting. As a result of years of painting from life, his paintings display a strong sense of design and handling of light.  

"We live in a fast paced, complex world. I hope that when viewing my work someone can slow down and see forms simplified and more clearly. If I can in some way intensify a viewers senses by clarifying, through my interpretation, then I feel we both have experienced what arts intentions should be." 

Dave has exhibited in the following national and regional shows:

The Knickerbocher Artist 38th Annual New York, NY.

The Pasted Society of America 1989 and 1992 New York, NY.

The Pastel Society of the West Coast, 1993 Sacramento, CA.

Artists of the West Exhibition, 1993 Colorado Springs, CO.

Awards: Art Students League of Denver Scholarship (Pastel Society of the West Coast)