Wright, David Historian with a brush

Historian With A Brush is the colorful story and gallery of an important American painters life work.

David Wright emerged in the 20th century as an important historical artist whose talents were recognized at an early age. After elementary school, and through graduation from art college, one theme seemed predominant in his drawings, sketches, and paintings. Studying in Italy and travels throughout Europe solidified his keen interest in history.

Whether working on the set as a movie extra or as a professional consultant for historical documentaries or living with mountain men traveling on horseback throughout the western mountains and eastern woodlands, David Wrights paintings are personal and represent his long search for authenticity and truth. This volume is a comprehensive examination of his experiences and interpretation of his view of history on canvas.

Davids style is representational and exudes an element of raw emotion and quiet fortitude in each painting of figurative art. The values and tones are organic with an essence of earthly balance in composition. Strength and power of a classical protagonist always rule the canvas with storytelling brushstrokes. History comes to life and makes us believe we are there, witnessing the sights, sounds and emotions of a bygone era.

The genesis of this book occurred in 2018, when long-time friend and Western Writers Hall of Fame historian James A. Crutchfield encouraged Wright to chronicle his work in a commemorative art book. Crutchfields vision finally came to fruition following Retrospective Exhibits at the Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian and Western Art and the Booth Museum of Western Art.

This resulting edition is his lifes story and gallery of more than 200 paintings and drawings selected from his lifes work and retrospective exhibitions at multiple American museums. The gallery includes Davids personal anecdotes and historical backgrounds accompanying many of the paintings, as well as commentary from eminent figures in the world of art portraying Americas story.

H. DAVID WRIGHT Artist & Historian

Born in Rosine, Kentucky in 1942 and raised in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, David Wright has always had a close association with the two major subjects of his work; the rural landscape and American history.

Professionally trained as an artist, with study in Europe, Wright has spent his life painting subjects he is most passionate aboutlandscapes and historical subjects: the American frontier, (the hunters, settlers, soldiers, and American Indians), and the American Civil War.

His career took a two year break in 1964-65 when he was drafted to serve in the US Army, a year of which was spent in Vietnam. In 1973 he joined Gray Stone Press, which publishes limited edition collector prints of his paintings.

Listed in Whos Who in American Art, Wright was commissioned in 1979 to do six paintings for the bicentennial edition of Nashville: The Face of Two Centuries during the Nashville Century lll celebration. He also created the poster for the Fine Arts Pavilion at the 1982 Worlds Fair held in Knoxville, Tennessee. His subject a Frontiersman.

Wrights paintings have been featured in television documentaries and as covers for numerous books and magazines. As an avid historian, his research has led him to write articles for various publications, as well as contributing chapters in some well-known books on the American frontier.

Venturing into the media world, Wright has appeared on television as an historical consultant. He has also served as Art Director for Native Sun Productions high definition films: award winning Daniel Boone and the Westward Movement, Refuge in the Wilderness, and the History Channels 80 Acres of Hell and First Invasion The War of 1812 for which he was nominated for a Prime Time Emmy.

Wright was commissioned to do a major painting for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park entitled Gateway to the West Daniel Boone Leading The Settlers Through The Cumberland Gap, 1775. This painting has been made into a breathtaking wall-size mural and is on display at the Cumberland Gap Visitors Center.

He has received the prestigious Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award at the Eiteljorg Museum Quest For The West Show for his painting titled Uninvited Visitors which now is included in the museums permanent collection.

His internationally known works hang in numerous private collections, as well as the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, GA; Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, TN; Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, IN: Sam Davis Historic Home Museum in Smyrna, TN; Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Historic Martins Station at Wilderness Road State Park, Ewing, Virginia.

In 2019, he was honored with a retrospective show of his work at the Eiteljorg Museum and in 2022 he was honored with the Booth Western Art Museum American Artist of Excellence award.

David Wright and his wife, Jane reside outside Gallatin, Tennessee in a beautiful 18th century style house situated over the ever-running falls of historic Ashers Creek, across from the ruins of an old gristmill.