The City Beckons: Six questions for Eileen David
By Gregory Hemming
While I was working with Eileen David to curate her 2026 exhibition, The City Beckons, I came up with a series of questions which helped guide me through selecting her work. I sat down with Eileen David one afternoon to discuss them with her. The following reflects the fruits of our discussion.
Gregory Hemming: How did the main idea develop for your newest show, The City Beckons?
Eileen David: I didn’t have a preconceived idea. It just came about organically. I purchased a bunch of small panels so I could move through ideas and impulses. It was fun to make all of these small paintings after working on larger pieces that demanded considerable time.
GH: With an emphasis on smaller scale cityscapes with a few contrasting larger paintings, what is new in this show and why was it important to you?
ED: I’m not sure there is anything new in this show, except that I largely focused on the streets of Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill. There’s a lot of visual information there so it was a fun challenge to get down what was important in terms of formal elements like color and shape and not get too bogged down by details.
GH: During our previous conversations, you have mentioned the new iPhone helping you with your process. Can you elaborate?
ED: My new phone has an exceptional camera with fantastic zoom capabilities. When I look at what I photographed later on, I’m able to explore everything near and far. I’m kind of fascinated by all of the detail on these buildings and all of those little shapes and shadows . It’s like some weird visual exploration.
GH: Which vista in San Francisco first inspired you to paint cityscapes in the beginning of your career? Do you recall the scale of the painting?
Plate 1:
Vertical City, 2026 oil on canvas, 36 x 24 inches
ED: Initially it was the views that reminded me of growing up in New York. The Lefty O’Doul Bridge, under the freeway on Division Street and a lot of the old brick buildings on lower Potrero Hill. I started making small paintings of those areas in the city. They were nostalgic in a way.
GH: How does the size of a painting affect your approach?
ED: With larger paintings I get my patience tested big time. I need to honor that these need a certain amount of time. Time away from them and the to revisit them. It’s a lot of visual problem solving and a lot of changes from what photo reference I’m using. I invent a lot more in a greater departure from my photo. The smaller paintings are like expressing a thought or an idea, quick and immediate.
GH: Teaching painting at Skyline College has been an important part of your life, with many of your students attending your shows at the gallery. How does teaching inform your work?
ED: I love teaching. I love to share what I know, all of the little things I’ve learned in my many years of painting. I’m very hands on in my classes and always solving visual problems. It’s like flexing the same muscles used in painting. It’s such a symbiotic relationship. I also love thinking about new projects and new ways to deliver information.
Plate 2:
Down Mason Street, 2026
oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 3:
20th and Arkansas Street, San Francisco, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 4:
Shadows on Doloras Street, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 5:
Looking Towards Treasure Island, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 6:
The City Beckons, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 7:
San Francisco Rooftops with Trees, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 8:
Potrero Hill View, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
9:
Plate
Towards Yerba Buena, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 10:
Alcatraz and Angel Island, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 11:
Early Evening on Potrero Hill, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 12:
Castro Houses on Hillside, 2025 oil on canvas, 40 x 8 inches
Plate 13:
Castro Houses Late Afternoon, 2025 oil on canvas, 40 x 8 inches
Plate 14: Aquatic Cove, San Francisco, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Plate 15:
Summer Shadows, 2026 oil on panel, 12 x 12 inches
16:
Plate
Windy Day at Ocean Beach, 2026 oil on board, 8 x 8 inches
Exhibition Checklist
Plate 1: Vertical City 2026
oil on canvas
36 x 24 inches
Plate 2: Down Mason Street 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 3:
20th and Arkansas Street, San Francisco 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 4: Shadows on Dolores Street 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 5: Looking Towards Treasure Island 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 6: The City Beckons 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 7: San Francisco Rooftops with Trees 2026 oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 8: Potrero Hill View 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 9: Towards Yerba Buena 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 10: Alcatraz and Angel Island 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 11: Early Evening on Potrero Hill 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 12: Castro Houses on Hillside 2025
oil on canvas
40 x 8 inches
Plate 13: Castro Houses Late Afternoon 2025
oil on canvas
40 x 8 inches
Plate 14:
Aquatic Cove, San Francisco 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
Plate 15: Summer Shadows 2026
oil on panel 12 x 12 inches
Plate 16: Windy Day at Ocean Beach 2026
oil on board
8 x 8 inches
EILEEN DAVID
Born 1952 in Manhattan, NY
Education
2005 M.F.A., San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2001 B.A., Studio Art and Art History, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
1984–1992 Academy of Art College, Illustration and Painting, San Francisco, CA
Professional Experience
2006–Present Part-time Faculty, Department of Art, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
2006–2008
2003–2006
Adjunct Lecturer, Fine Arts Dept., San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Art and Design, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2005 Visiting Lecturer, California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA
2003–2005 Instructor of Record / Graduate Teaching Associate, San Jose University, San Jose, CA
2004 Plein Air Painting Instructor, Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, CA
2002 & 2005 Summer Youth Arts Program Coordinator, Daly City Park and Recreation, Daly City, CA
2001 Long Term Sub Art Teacher, Downtown High School, San Francisco, CA
1986–2005 Professional Illustrator
Selected Awards
2005 Joan Mitchell Foundation M.F.A. Grant Award Recipient
2004 Catherine Urban Scholarship
2003 Chad Okamoto Memorial Scholarship
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2026
2024-2025
Eileen David: The City Beckons, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Eileen David: City and Sea, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2023
Eileen David, In Place, LewAllen Galleries, Santa Fe, NM
2022 Eileen David, City Rhythms, LewAllen Galleries, Santa Fe, NM
2021 Eileen David: Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019 Eileen David Paintings, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Rutherford, CA
2017 Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015 Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012 Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011 Housescapes, Cañada College, Redwood City, CA
2010 Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007 Urban Landscapes, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005 M.F.A. Show, Gallery 3, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2004 Cityscapes, William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Rutherford, CA
2023 Seattle Art Fair, Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle, WA
Twenty-Five Treasures Summer, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2022 artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2019 Seattle Art Fair, Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle, WA
2017 Painted Landscapes: Contemporary Views, Heritage Museum & Gardens, Sandwich, MA
2014
2013
2012
Art Miami, The Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco, San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, CA
EXPO Chicago, Festival Pavilion, Navy Pier, Chicago IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
Art Miami, The Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL
EXPO Chicago, Festival Pavilion, Navy Pier, Chicago IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
Art Miami, The Art Miami Pavilion, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, FL.
EXPO Chicago, Festival Hall, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
artMRKT San Francisco, Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco, CA
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA
LA Art Show, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
2011 Texas Contemporary Art Fair, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
artMRKT San Francisco, Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco, CA
Art Chicago 2011, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2010 Skyline College Faculty Show, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
San Francisco Fall Antiques Show 2010, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Fine Art Fair, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
Art Chicago 2010, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
San Francisco Fall Antiques Show, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
Twenty-Five Treasures, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Skyline College Faculty Show, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
Art Chicago 2008, Merchandise Mart, Chicago IL
LA Art Show, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA
Art Chicago 2007, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
City Life, SF MOMA Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA
LA Art Show, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA
Urban Landscapes, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Joan Mitchell Foundation: 2004-2005 MFA Grant Recipients, Cue Art Foundation, New York, NY
San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art / Invitational Auction, San Jose, CA
Museum of Modern Art Artists’ Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Skyline College Faculty Exhibit, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
Art Chicago 2006, Historic Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
M.F.A. Group Show, 2005 Graduates SJSU, Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
Live Auction Invitational, Insitute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
Point Reyes Plein Air Invitational, William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
Northern Views / California Painting in the Plein Air Tradition, Napa Valley Museum, CA
M.F.A. Show, Gallery 3, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2004 Cityscapes, William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
2003
The Group, Third Annual Show, I.O.O.F. Lodge, San Francisco, CA
The Urban Landscape, William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
The Group, Second Annual Show, I.O.O.F. Lodge, San Francisco, CA
Passageways (Juried Show), Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2002–2004 Eriksen Gallery, Half Moon Bay, CA
2002
2001
The Group, First Annual Show, I.O.O.F. Lodge, San Francisco, CA
Marin Open Space Invitational Benefit Exhibit, William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, CA
South Coast Artists Association Annual Show, Pescadero, CA
2000 Annual Juried Stillwell Show, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Publications and Reviews
2017 Briana-Gartner. “Contemporary Landscapes Focus of Heritage Show”. Cape News. June 1, 2017.
Wilkinson, Don. “Art Beat: Landscape exhibits covers wondrous terrain”. South Coast Today. 4 May 2017.
Feinberg, Jody. “Fine Art: Contemporary Landscapes on view at Heritage Museum”. The Patriot Ledger. 20 April 2017.
2015 Zack, Jessica. “Painting ‘where past overlaps with present’”. San Francisco Chronicle, July 2, 2015.
Cheng, DeWitt. “Editorial: Recommendations”. Visual Art Source, 2015.
2013 Della Monica, Lauren P. “Painted Landscapes: Contemporary Views”. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2013.
2011 “Eileen David / Housescapes”. Olive Press, Cañada College, Online Newsletter, 2011.
2010 Curiel, Jonathan. “Eye Candy: Eileen David Recent Paintings”. San Francisco Weekly, Volume 29, Number 26, July 21, 2010, p. 28.
2008 “Freeways and Overpasses”. ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com, 2008.
Public Collections
2012 Heroes and Hearts, San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, displayed in Union Square, San Francisco, CA
Commissions
2005 Collection of Sara and Donn Levine, Pacifica, CA
2004 Corporate Commission, Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, CA
Cover: The City Beckons (detail), 2026
Rear Cover: San Francisco Rooftops with Trees (detail), 2026
Copyright 2026 Paul Thiebaud Gallery. All Rights Reserved. Images copyright 2026 Eileen David.
Design: Greg Flood and Matthew Miller. All Images, photo: Matthew Miller.
No portion of this document may be reproduced or stored without the express written permission of the copyright holder(s).
PAUL THIEBAUD GALLERY
