Artist David Forks feels an emotional connection to the Texas Hill Country that is conveyed in his paintings.

It’s not always easy, though, to capture those emotions. “It’s a continual challenge. Sometimes it works – sometimes it doesn’t,” David explains. “When I feel the brush succeeding, it’s like lightning in a bottle.”

A Passionate Routine

Painting is a true passion for David. On a scale of one to 10, painting is an eight to him. “Other than my family, painting is everything to me. I enjoy it so much that I get up at 3 or 4 a.m. when it’s very peaceful and quiet in the pre-dawn hours,” he says. He paints for four to six hours, then takes a break and goes to the gym. He also spends a lot of time outdoors taking care of plants, feeding birds, and in general, enjoying nature.

From Commercial Art to a Life of Painting

He shares that many people, though, go through life without having a passion. “I know because I have been there,” he says. David married at age 21 and started a family, so painting as a profession and supporting a family was out of question. He worked several different jobs before going into business for himself. He worked for Southwest Airlines Magazine as a production artist, alongside another man, producing the monthly magazine. Then he went to work with a Koozie company, a can insulator manufacturer, and the company grew. After that, he moved to San Antonio to do freelance work. David did well enough to add employees and form a company that excelled in illustration and design work throughout San Antonio.

A Setback and a New Beginning

In late 2019, illness set him back. It took a while to recover, but today he is making a good living doing commission work. His artwork consists of paintings of the Texas Hill Country and Big Bend. “I paint a lot of the Hill Country west of San Antonio, the Edwards Plateau, and west of Kerrville.” He states that he doesn’t paint for the money. “I paint because I love doing it. I couldn’t support my family painting. If I had not saved over the years, I could not do this. I eat well. I paint. I go to the gym.”

A Lifelong Love for Art

David is the sixth of seven children. His dad was in the military, and he grew up in San Antonio. When he was born, his family lived in Germany, but they returned to San Antonio before he started first grade. “I had a good childhood – always busy. One of my older brothers dabbled in oil paint and inspired me to draw before I started school.” At age 5, he won a coloring contest held at a local mall and won a prize. In third grade, he drew a lion and did such a good job that his teacher thought he had traced it. “I had artist skills at an early age. I would like to have continued working as an artist but because I had to support myself and my family, I had to take jobs in the commercial world.”

David currently lives alone in Del Rio, Texas. “My children are grown. I’m close to my sons, grandchildren, brothers, and sisters -– and I’m happy,” he shares. “All my children are loving, and I love them very much. They mean the world to me.”

Art for Love, Not Money

David charges by the square inch and adjusts prices for complexity or detail. You can purchase his artwork on his website, as well as find a listing of all the galleries which show his work. “I could probably promote my business through social media, but I am too busy painting,” he adds.

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Cover photo Jehramy Forks

Minnie Payne grew up in South Carolina but because of her husband’s government job, lived in many different U.S. cities. Having lived in Texas 38 years, she claims it as home and appreciates the many opportunities and advantages that the Lone Star State provides.