Artwork Archive's Featured Artist David Twose paints bold, colorful worlds where human figures, landscapes, and city scenes come alive through vibrant shapes.
"I look for the abstraction hidden in reality to express the essence of what surrounds and inhabits us," Twose explains.
David does something unique when he works, however: he paints upside-down. This allows him to focus on abstract shapes rather than subjects, transforming ordinary scenes into vivid studies of connection and meaning.
Artwork Archive had the chance to chat with David Twose about his creative process, the importance of color, and how Artwork Archive helps him manage his art career.
You can see more of his work on Discovery and learn more about his art practice below:
David Twose, 'Secrets du lac', 33 x 55 cm
How David Twose Approaches Creating His Art
David Twose, trained by a master of abstract painting, has carved out his unique artistic philosophy, which he describes as walking "along the ridge between figuration and abstraction—what I call ‘Abstractivation.’”
David begins his work by exploring landscapes, cities, and nudes, searching for the underlying structures—the abstract forms that reveal the profound beauty hidden in reality. “I play with shapes and contrasts, amplifying colors to bring forth a more intimate world, outside time and space, in pursuit of that elusive boundary,” he explains.
For this artist, a painting is complete when everything feels in place. “I consider a work finished when I see no more problems to solve—when I feel that everything fits, that everything is in its place. Yet, there are times when I revisit a painting years after I thought it was complete. For me, this is a good sign: perhaps my eye has learned to see more over the years!”
His favorite part of the process is the delicate moment when representation gives way to abstraction. “It’s the moment I move away from pure representation and let myself venture further into abstraction, onto more personal paths,” the painter says.
Why Abstraction Matters in His Work
According to David Twose, abstraction provides freedom—especially in his choice of colors. “It is also a way for me to explore more fundamental elements,” he notes.
David Twose, 'Reflection of Paris #2', 60 x 81 cm
Colors Shape the Emotional Core of David Twose's Work
Twose’s artistic journey started with abstract art, where he focused on finding balance and flow in his work. “What mattered most to me was the harmonious arrangement of shapes and colors, seeking a joyful balance,” he explains.
Even as his style has become more figurative, this artist still loves the creative freedom that comes with layering and experimenting his chosen colors.
The Habit That Fuels David's Creativity
For David Twose, staying inspired as an artist is all about connection. “Keep attending exhibitions, going out, and meeting new people,” the artist says. Being part of the art world—whether through conversations or new experiences—helps him stay creative and motivated.
When the Artist Realized Excel Wasn't Enough
Like many artists, David Twose started managing his work with an Excel file—until it just couldn’t keep up. “To keep track of all the available paintings and organize them—for example, to respond to exhibition projects—I needed something more,” the painter shares.
That’s when he turned to Artwork Archive, a tool he now considers essential for managing his growing art career.
David Twose, 'Tomorrow', 50 x 73 cm
The Two Artwork Archive Features That Keep This Artist Organized and Connected
For David Twose, two features of Artwork Archive have made a huge difference: the Web Embed tool and Private Rooms. “I love [using the] embed feature with my website. All the paintings that I have uploaded to the platform automatically appear on my website. This saves me a lot of time,” the abstract painter explains.
He’s also a fan of Private Rooms, which streamline communication with galleries and clients. “It allows me to easily send a list of paintings to a gallery or a client,” he says.
Save Time and Share Your Work Effortlessly:
Did you know that with Artwork Archive's Web Embed feature, you can keep your website portfolio up-to-date without the hassle of manual uploads? Just add your artwork to the platform, mark it as 'public', and with the embed tool connected, it will automatically appear on your site. Learn more about this feature here.
And if you want to wow a gallery or client? Use Private Rooms to create a curated selection of your pieces, complete with a secure link they can access anytime. Explore what else you can do with Private Rooms here.
David's Best Advice He'd Give to New Artists
David Twose reflects on his journey as a professional artist with a sense of curiosity and openness. “Not much, to be honest,” David shares when asked what he wishes he knew before starting. “I didn’t really know how things would unfold, and I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised and discovering this new world.”
For those just starting out, his advice is simple but powerful: “Get out of the studio to connect with other artists.” Building relationships and finding a community can make the often-isolating art world feel a little smaller and a lot more supportive.
David Twose, 'Lyon', 60 x 73 cm
David Twose uses Artwork Archive to simplify his art business, update his artist website, share work with galleries and collectors, and a lot more.
You can make an online portfolio, catalog your artwork, and generate reports like inventory reports, tear sheets, and invoices in seconds with Artwork Archive. Take a look at Artwork Archive's free trial and start growing your art business.
