David Ekedahl: Artist

3' x 4' oil on canvas + augmented reality

This statement piece, 'Stained,' is a striking image of American symbolism of the flag waving with a super imposed handgun, bleeding its colors over the red, white and blue.  The augmented reality layer shows statistics and images of children killed by gunfire across the United States.

The artist creates a strong emotional pull and directs the viewer to take action, with an active link that can be accessed by the device's browser.

3' x 3' mixed media on canvas + augmented reality

This piece is a proof of concept for an idea that starts with 2D art and layers in augmented reality technology and digital media to create an immersive, interactive experience.

The cut form resembles a human heart and the revealed, huddled form with wrapped arms of the artist embracing and/or protecting himself.

4' x 4' mixed media on canvas

(Hernandez/Dyer Collection)

Yellow is part of the 'Order in Chaos' series and uses parallel grid lines to contrast organic visual movement, highlighting the figurative balance of the dueling structures found in nature.

2' x 1'  mixed media on canvas

(Goodman Collection)

This piece is from the 'Order in Chaos' series, an abstract multi-media series representing nature in Colorado.  It uses thread, stitched to the canvas to create a sense of tears that have been mended.  

40" x 16"  mixed media on canvas

Inspiration for Settled Movement came from the rivers of Denver and the settling layers of sediment they carry as they move through the Rocky Mountains.  The theme of ordered vertical lines, meticulously drawn contrast with the muddy, heavy use of shellac.

4' x 3'  mixed media on canvas

The Lady of Grasmere II is part of the 'Order in Chaos' series that draws on images from around Colorado.  This piece was inspired by the trees in fall reflecting off Grasmere lake in southern Washington Park.  The order of the vertical lines contrast with amber shellac spotted across the canvas.

3' x 4' mixed media on canvas

Sunlight is part of the 'Order in Chaos' series that draws on images from nature around Colorado.  This piece is indicative of the sun through the trees reflecting off the lake at Denver's City Park.

24" x 68" mixed media on canvas

'Birds on a Wire' starts with a chaotic aesthetic formed from paints mixed with shellac spattered on canvas.  The stark black line, slightly askew, creates an x-axis on which sits contentment and companionship.  This piece was a feeder work to the the artist's 'Order in Chaos' series.

29" (diameter)  copper

'Fire Bowl' is a repurposed fire pit bowl that has been partially cleaned, bringing out the copper undertones, while retaining the natural patina, rusting and singe of its outdoor use.  Hung on a wall, its original function promotes a sense of the outdoors, warmth and social interaction.

3' x 4'  wood

Bridge Crossing is a hung piece built in the form of a curved garden bridge.  The bridge is a symbol that pulls together two sides and invokes a sense of connection with the outdoors and nature.

4' x 5'  oil on canvas

The background of 'Mother and Daughter' is of the artist's backyard and the foreground is representative of his wife and two daughters.  This painting takes the viewer through duel perspectives of the parent/child relationship and evokes a sense of comfort and home.

18" x 24"  mixed media on paper

This work is in honor of the Denver Zoo peacocks that freely roam the zoo grounds.  It was made for the artist's 4-year old daughter to forever connect her to the memory of being young and seeing the birds strut and shake tail feathers.

18" x 24"  mixed media on paper

This is a fun piece of the artist's backyard that includes surreal, whimsically organic elements.  It is drawn with colored pencils, pen, markers and acrylic paint with a title that states the fact that it is not 'real' until translated through the artistic process.

4' x 2'  mixed media on canvas

(Toth Collection)

'Staggered View of the Beach' is from a series completed in Venice, CA and includes sculptural elements to translate local scenes from nature.  It pulls the viewer into a state of unease, fragility and connection with the outdoors.

2.5' x 2'  mixed media on canvas

'Three Outside' is from a series completed in Venice, CA and includes sculptural elements to translate local scenes from nature.  This view invokes trees lined on the beach where waves beat the sand endlessly as if to turn it to glass.  All works in this series use glass bottles to mark a temporal, delicate balance.

30" x 48"  oil paint on canvas

Something compelled the artist to paint this picture.  It was an itch he could only scratch by putting it on a canvas... he is happy he did.

2' x 3'  oil paint on canvas

The sunrises in Denver are a time of colored transition with warms melting away the cool blues.  This landscape imbues the simplicity of the quiet hours with the energy of the promising day.  On display is a tendency for thick paint, with visible strokes that lend their movement to the painting.  The artist considers this sculpting with paint.

2' x 3'  oil paint on canvas

The artist was pulled to this image due to the movement of the foreground and how well it frames the background, as if spying on the lighthouse.  This early piece informed themes that emerged in his later abstract works.

40" x 60"  oil paint on canvas

This landscape is of the fishing pond at the north side of Washington Park in Denver.  The reflection of the trees on water influenced later abstract works that simplify the vertical lines and layers of nature, man, and self reflection.

16" x 20" oil paint on canvas

'Distant Sigh' displays the artist's use of vibrant color with brush strokes that create energy that pulls the viewer into the painting.  This work captures a sense of longing, uncertainty, beauty, innocence and danger.