The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net’

TWENTY five years ago Florida native Daniel Caldwell fell in love with the vivid colour contrasts and the amazing water visibility that defines Bahamian waters.

From the natural beauty and wildlife, the abstract realist painter became inspired.
Since visiting Eleuthera 25 years ago, Daniel has returned every year, and over the last 10 years he has been a regular of North Eleuthera and Harbour Island.

“Among my earliest inspirations as an artist were Winslow Homer’s paintings of the Bahamas from the late 1890s; now, more than a hundred years later, the islands seem largely unchanged. Daily life in the Bahamas is a wonderful muse with plenty of old and new subjects to capture. I guess you could say I paint a romanticised view of simple island life—people simply enjoying life in the islands. I have enjoyed discovering the distinct difference in the island communities. From Harbour Island, Gregory Town, Spanish Wells and Governor’s Harbour,” Daniel told Tribune Entertainment.

Daniel recently hosted an art exhibition at the Princess Street Gallery in Harbour Island, featuring some of his latest works. Subjects included Harbour Island dock scenes, Spanish Wells, surfing and Governor’s Harbour conch men.

“About eight years ago I visited Harbour Island and went into Princess Street Gallery and was drawn to the art and artists that were showing in there. Masters like Don Stone, Stephen Scott Young and Amos Ferguson. I asked Charles Carey the gallery owner to look over my work. Charles liked what I was doing and gave me the opportunity show some of my work there. This led me to paint an ongoing series of paintings of Bahamian life which becomes more informed as I grow as artist. I was also able to sell these paintings to collectors back in the states,” said Daniel.

At the same time, Daniel said he decided to build a simple home near Gregory Town, Eleuthera, and this is where he spends much of his time.

“I paint figurative subjects in loose painterly style. My muse is inspired by a life led close to the sea. I paint a body of work that invites you to consider the joy of life without pretense. It’s romantic and simple,” said Daniel.

Daniel said he has been fortunate enough to have wonderful mentors to help him learn how to see and paint art.

“These people are Michael Halminski, a photographer friend on the outter banks and Ken Auster, a California master painter who I greatly admire for his teaching on painting with intellect and passion. Both friends are surfing buddies which strengthens the bond. Other artists I admire are Winslow Homer work in watercolours subjects in the tropics; Stephen Scott Young for his refinement of craft. The direct style of David Hockney in the 70’s and Wayne Thiebaud’s delight with colour and surface,” said Daniel.

He expressed that the benefits from the art field are wonderful, as it allows people to travel and work wherever they want to go.
“Being artistic, you can be intrigued by the simplest things. The way light strikes an object. You have the opportunity to share your point of view, tell a visual story and the nuance of emotion that comes from expressive painting. To have others enjoy and value what you are doing is also very rewarding,” said Daniel.

He said there is no specific message in his art, as it is all about the joy of the journey of an artist. “I am thankful for this life and career as an artist. I’m learning to trust God who continues to open doors and will lead me on,” he said.

Another passion for Daniel, is his love for surfing. He fell in love with surfing at age 13, enjoying the creative emerging surf culture in the early 1970’s. He pursued this surf passion attending high school on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Cape Hatteras. While living on Hatteras Island, Daniel said he developed an eye for sketching and painting the commercial fisherman, rustics fish houses, and wooden boats.

He went on to college at the University of Hawaii, Manoa graduating with B A in Advertising and Graphic Design. At the same time, Daniel said he honed his drawing and painting skills at a fine small museum The Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Daniel returned to South Florida in 1986 and had a prolific 18 year career as an art director and VP of sales in a silkscreen printing company. Over the last 12 years, he has moved his career into painting full time.