About
David Greaves was born in Yorkshire, England. After graduating from art school with a degree in graphic design, he moved to Canada. David worked in several commercial art studios before opening his own design firm. Although basically a self-taught watercolourist, David’s work was influenced by England’s John Yardley and the late John Blockley.
Next Show
Uxbridge Studio Tour
Thanksgiving weekend October 2026
in Conversation
How did you get started?
Back in Art School, I was introduced to watercolour because my mother had an allergy to oil paint, turpentine, etc. I mentioned this to my prof, and he suggested I use watercolour or gouache (both water-based media).
Mastering watercolour was a challenge then and can still prove challenging at times. You learn something new every day you pick up your brushes: spontaneous results of colours reacting to each other while mixing on the paper. Let it do its thing; don’t rush your painting, and definitely don’t overwork it. After all, these failures occur, but if you learn from the failures, it’s a success. I have been painting for over fifty years!
A life in the Arts, A Home in the Country
I was involved in advertising while living in Toronto, but I always longed to move to the country. In those days, most design and assembly work was done by hand, but when computers became mainstream, we had to adapt. Hiring young designers allowed the company to grow, but also gave me more time to develop my fine art. At this point, I decided to move to the country.
David's Approach
Over the years, I have developed alarm bells that I recognize when a painting isn’t going as planned. Instead of labouring over a painting only to have it end up in the trash can, I simply take the painting to my sink, wash it off and start again with the knowledge of why it didn’t work the first time.
Why do you paint?
I cannot think of not painting. It is part of my creative release. Painting is where I can get lost in my own thoughts. A journey to the country and rural settings.
Why do you paint rural settings?
I started driving around and saw barns deteriorating. I realized that we are losing an era. These barns will not be back. I want to sketch/paint as many of these while we have them – a recording for future generations. I am leaving a legacy of how it used to be.
I grew up on a farm, so this is what I grew up with. And I am reluctant to let it go. It saddens me to see farms disappearing. Hedgerows are being ripped out with no plan for wildlife. The English way of farming is different. A farmer cannot put out a hedgerow, and they cannot work within one metre of it.
Who do you paint for?
My work appeals to one who appreciates nature and a slower lifestyle. Most of my audience comes from rural experiences/upbringing.
Who represents you? When is your next show?
My next show is the Uxbridge Studio Tour, Sunderland on Thanksgiving weekend, 2026.
David has had several group shows and one-man shows in Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Millbrook, Lindsay, Uxbridge, Brockville, Mississauga, Port Perry, Kleinburg and Wellington, Ontario. His paintings hang in many private and corporate collections, including the DuPont Foundation.
creative space
The Studio
David Greaves' studio.
David in his studio.
David working on a painting.
David working on a painting.
Paint pans.
David working on a painting.