Some artists strive to paint solely en plein air; others stick to studio work, preferring the high level of control it offers. Texas artist David Moreland Bates, however, combines the two, and it’s the perfect mix for his artistic expression. “Painting from life, for me, is finding all the absolute visual truth that’s there in nature,” explains Bates, who is co-founder of the Outdoor Painters Society and a member of Oil Painters of America. “But in the studio, I can play around with those truths and do whatever I want to do to make an interesting painting.” His work includes a wide range of subject matter, from serene landscapes and still lifes to powerful portraits.

Bates studied at the Art Center College of Design in the early 1960s and was poised for a career in fine art and illustration, but his path in life took several twists and turns. He joined the Navy and worked as a photographer before switching to computer programming for more than 20 years. He returned to the art world in 1992, taking workshops with Kevin Macpherson, John Encinias, Scott Christensen, Matt Smith, and others. “When I took my first workshop with Kevin Macpherson, everything fell together,” Bates says. “Right now, I’m focusing on finding my own voice.” He is represented by Victorian Gallery, Dallas, TX; NanEtte Richardson Fine Art, San Antonio, TX; and www.dmbates.com.