In the Studio with Acclaimed Painter, Collage Artist and Educator David Hornung

For our latest In the Studio visit, presented in partnership with Little Bit Creates, we are excited to spend an afternoon with acclaimed painter, collage artist, educator, and author David Hornung. Known internationally for his influential work on color theory and his dynamic visual language, Hornung has spent decades helping artists understand the power of color while building a celebrated artistic practice of his own.

Today, Hornung calls Woodstock, New York home, where he continues to paint, experiment, and explore the relationship between color, form, and composition. Read on as we step inside his studio to learn more about his creative process, artistic journey, and the work that continues to inspire collectors and fellow artists alike.

Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

David Hornung: I had lived in NYC since 1984 (originally I’m from near Philadelphia) and had a summer and weekend home in Shokan between 1984 and 2012. In 2020, my wife and I moved our primary residence to Woodstock.

What inspired you to become an artist? What was your journey?

David Hornung: As a child I drew and painted a lot. In my mid-teens I was inspired by the work of Andrew Wyeth to take up painting seriously. We had lived in Chadds Ford, PA where Wyeth lived and worked and my dad had a passing acquaintance with him. I’ve never considered another vocation and have been painting for 60 years.

Why is it important for an artist to be “brave” or “patient” enough to surrender to the feeling of being lost rather than working from a rigid plan?

David Hornung: There are many approaches to painting, all valid if rooted authentically in the artist’s temperament. The courage and patience I mentioned in that quote apply specifically to improvisational composition, where the artist must be open to the moment and work gradually toward resolution.

You identify primarily as a painter but also work extensively in collage. How does the “improvisation” of collage—the ability to move, glue over, or tear edges—influence your approach when you return to painting?

David Hornung: I often compare these dual media to playing two different musical instruments, say the violin and the piano. There is overlap, but because painting is a “plastic” medium and collages are constructed, there are important distinctions between them. I’m not sure the collages inform the paintings so much as they both come from the same mind. At any rate, the interplay is mysterious to me.

David Hornung: One cannot guide the viewer’s response, and I don’t spend any energy on even imagining that. Shapes are expressive to me, and I use them accordingly. The best analogy would be with a jazz pianist who decides to use a particular chord coloring in an improvised solo. He or she is not thinking about how the listener would respond but is instead caught up in the moment, playing to produce the musical event that fits best. That’s exactly what motivates the decisions I make concerning shape, color, scale, interval and other formal elements that appear in my work.

When you challenge yourself to work within a limited range, such as keeping a piece “as white as possible,” what are you hoping to discover through those subtle nuances?

David Hornung: Picasso said, “Start with a plan, but make it a vague one.” My “plan” in that piece was just a general idea to work in what we call a “high key”, i.e., with most of the tones at the lighter of the value scale. Of course, I’ve done this before occasionally, and it’s a departure from my typical palette. It’s just a quieter mood, a still pond upon which the slightest ripple is noticeable.

How often do outside influences, like music or personal observations, dictate the final direction and title of a work?

David Hornung: I usually paint in silence, but I do listen to music when involved in studio busywork like priming a panel or making painted papers. I have a musical background, and music continues to be a vital parallel universe for me, especially instrumental music in jazz, classical, and traditional forms. Titles usually come to me casually after the piece is finished, often based on an intuitive connection between the image and a word or name.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who feel pressured by current trends or the vast number of artists working today?

David Hornung: I would encourage them to look inside themselves. Figure out what moves and interests you, then dig deep to eventually expose your voice. It may take a while, but don’t get distracted by trends, especially by what you perceive as others’ expectations. Work with integrity, and you’ll attract the audience you deserve.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

I loved the energy of the city when I lived there, but now, as I am older, I crave the light up here and the sounds of nature, which are constantly nourishing. Even winter is a rich sensory experience.

What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of being an artist?

David Hornung: Challenging? The work itself. Rewarding? Same answer.

What is one question you’re constantly asked or the biggest misconception about your work?

David Hornung: I make non-representational art and I’m sometimes asked to explain its meaning. It helps if you understand that this kind of work is not a message delivery system but a direct psychological experience. Like the art of music (excluding song, which has a literary component), abstract art provides an encounter with form that can strike a chord in the heart and mind of the viewer. When seen as a focused existential experience, it can make you feel more alive. At least that’s the way the best abstract painting has always affected me.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

David Hornung: Catskill Art Supply.

Who or what inspires you personally?

David Hornung: Music, literature, film, comedy, and the best historical and contemporary art.

What do you do for fun? What are some of your favorite ways to unwind and unplug when you are not in the studio?

David Hornung: Films, concerts, plays.

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Photos of artwork courtesy of David Hornung and Little Bit Creates.

Follow/Connect with David Hornung via Website | Instagram

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See more of our IN THE STUDIO WITH… Artist Series:

In the Studio with Artist Elizabeth Keithline

In the Studio with Bespoke Ceramicist R.A. Pesce

In the Studio with Experiential Artist Amanda Russo Rubman

In the Studio with Multimedia Artist David McIntyre

In the Studio With Artist Olaf Breuning: Laughter in the Dark

In the Studio with Contemporary Artist Andrew Lyght

In the Studio with Mixed Media Artist Yoko Izu

In the Studio with Abstract Artist Joel Longenecker

In the Studio with Horticulturist and Encaustic Artist Allyson Levy

In the Studio with Multidimensional Artist David Kucera

In the Studio with Contemporary Expressionist Ransome

In the Studio with Trailblazing Artist Ginnie Gardiner

In the Studio with Abstract Painter Donald Elder

In the Studio with Sculptor Iain Machell

In the Studio with Artist + Material Collaborator Ian McMahon

In the Studio with Painter + Gallery Owner Jenn Hicks

In the Studio with Multi-Modal Artist Millicent Young

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This ongoing artist series was produced in collaboration with Richard Hall and Mimi Young, founders of littlebitcreates.

Richard Hall and Mimi Young are the creative forces behind littlebitcreates. They produce a variety of projects, including in-depth artist profiles, event-specific promotional videos, and music videos. Their approach is exciting, innovative, and contemporary. In addition to their client work, Hall and Young collaborate with other creatives to create multidimensional, neo-surreal videos as part of a noncommercial venture. Littlebitcreates emerged from the extensive knowledge Hall and Young gained over 30 years of experience in photo shoots and multimedia art. They exclusively shoot all of their videos on iPhones, appreciating the distinctive aesthetic it produces and the comfort it offers their subjects in front of the camera.

Follow + Connect with littlebitcreates via Website | Vimeo | @littlebitcreates