A Tribute to David P. Curtis

Cape Ann Plein Air wanted to honor long-time plein air painter David Curtis, so we asked Judith Curtis, David’s wife, to share his legacy with all of us.

When Gloucester artist David P. Curtis passed away last year, the plein air art world lost one of its most enthusiastic practitioners. Nine months on, David is sorely missed, not just as a fine landscape painter, but also as one of the few painters conducting weekly drop-in outdoor classes. For almost 30 years, on a Saturday, you would find David at the Essex County Greenbelt Association’s Allyn Cox Reservation offering outdoor oil painting instruction. He inspired a host of students to try painting landscapes outdoors, from personal observation rather than working in the studio.

Although David loved nothing more than setting up his easel to paint for himself, he strongly believed that if you had the knowledge and expertise, it was incumbent on you to share that experience. Consequently, David dedicated a good part of his career to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with every art student he met.

David was a past President of the Rockport Art Association & Museum (twice) as well as an active member of the North Shore Arts Association and the Guild of Boston Artists. His work received numerous awards during his lifetime, but in 2019, the artist himself received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for longevity and unwavering excellence in the field of art.

David was a popular and inspirational teacher to countless artists who remember him for his sense of humor, enthusiasm, generosity and kindness. But most of all, he will be remembered for his dedication to the arts. Ultimately, painting was David’s life and driving passion.