Working in the Elements: Process, Scale, and the Value of Impermanence

At David Steiner Gallery and Studio, each painting begins not in a controlled environment, but

outdoors—where nature becomes an active participant in the work. This approach introduces

an element of unpredictability that ensures no two pieces can ever be replicated.

Creating work in the open air presents constant challenges. Sudden rain, wind, falling debris,

pollen, and even insects become part of the surface. Rather than being avoided, these

elements are intentionally embraced. Paintings are sometimes left in the rain or developed in

less-than-ideal conditions, allowing the environment to leave its mark. For collectors, this

means each work carries a unique environmental history—an unrepeatable set of

circumstances embedded directly into the surface.

Scale is a defining feature of the practice. Most paintings exceed six feet, requiring a physical

and immersive process. The act of painting becomes an endurance exercise, often unfolding

over hours in heat and humidity. This physical intensity translates into the work itself—visible in

the movement, layering, and energy held within the surface. Each piece reflects not just a

visual composition, but the exertion and presence required to bring it into being.

The work is deeply informed by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, which values

imperfection, impermanence, and the natural aging of materials. Subtle deterioration,

weathering, and surface variation are not flaws—they are essential qualities. Over time, these

elements contribute to the painting’s character, creating a living surface that continues to

evolve. For collectors, this introduces a dimension rarely found in more static, controlled works:

a sense of time and transformation.

Materials are used with this philosophy in mind. Fast-drying acrylics are layered in washes to

build depth, transparency, and distressed textures. The surfaces resist artificial polish or high-

gloss finishes, instead offering something more nuanced—absorbing light, revealing

complexity, and rewarding close viewing. These are works that shift depending on distance,

lighting, and perspective.

Ultimately, each painting represents a collaboration between artist and environment—between

control and chance. For collectors, this results in work that is not only visually compelling but

also conceptually rich and materially distinctive. No two pieces share the same conditions, the

same exposures, or the same outcome.

At David Steiner Gallery and Studio, collecting is not simply acquiring an image—it is acquiring

a singular event, captured in material form