David Tovey was born in Lower Hutt during 1950 and raised in Plimmerton, New Zealand.
His primary school years were heavily influenced by the Art in Schools programme, developed for the NZ Government’s Education Ministry by his uncle Gordon Tovey, artist and educator. In 1960, while at Plimmerton Primary School, David’s work was entered into an international art competition organised by Polish State Radio for UNESCO. David was awarded third place for his efforts, receiving a bronze medal.
His use of the oil medium, began early in 1970, directly informed by sitting, talking and observing his uncle Gordon painting in the final years of his life . This endeavour ceased as the business of life, family, and fortune intervened, and for many years no further works were produced until 2004.
Enabled to fulfil the creative promise passed down to him, David dabbled with several mediums – pen & ink, gouache, egg tempera and oils, taking elements from each in developing his way of expression. David has no formal training to guide him and is enjoying working through a huge learning curve as he builds on the raw natural talent given him. “I am finding there is an excitement in each new subject being forced to explore how to construct and present what I’m seeing”. He has an eye for detail and enjoys capturing as much in describing the form of his subject. Patience and a methodical approach slows his production.
His works are currently held in a number of private collections. This website is a gathering of those pieces he considers his best.
David lives with his great mate Boston
(a little black Australian terrier miniature poodle cross). Paints in his studio at Oxford, a beautiful and idyllic rural town in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Drinks a flat white at Cafe 51, on High Street Oxford.
Please feel free to contact David directly from this website.