About the Artist

David Flitner is an Arizona artist who has shown his oil landscape paintings in fine art galleries for over 35 years.  As an early admirer of Arizona’s unique scenery, David became a founding member of the Central Arizona Backpackers Association.  His experience in hiking the outback gave David a lifelong passion to paint the beauty of our southwestern lands.  It's his calling.

And David truly does love his work as an artist!  His creation process begins with a trip into the desert in search of a great location with an interesting focal point, light patterns, and a little depth and mystery.   He’ll set up his easel, do a quick sketch, capture the moving shadows with his camera, and do a small painting of the scene.  His objective is to get a sense of place and a feeling for the light, colors, and dimension that are not possible from a photograph alone.  Some of these small paintings become studies for larger studio works; some of them remain as memories of wonderful desert painting experiences.    

David Flitner has been a local art instructor of landscape painting at the nationally renowned Scottsdale Artists’ School in Scottsdale, Arizona for ten years.  He is a juried member of the Oil Painters of America and his background includes study at the University of Arizona and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.  David enjoys all opportunities to discuss, teach and share information about art, especially through his classes and workshops, critiques, and demonstrations at  Arizona art leagues and venues.   

Highlights include:

National  "Paint the Parks - Top 100"  Competition and National Tour  (2012)

“Best of Scottsdale - Landscapes Honoree” -  Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Art Show & Gala  (2005)

Arizona Highways Magazine (back cover);    Phippen Museum exhibition (2000)

Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden purchase award (2017)

Scottsdale Artists’ School Annual Beaux Arts Gala  

Local Instructor:   Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale, AZ  ( Oil landscape painting, 2016 on)

Publications (featured artist): 

• “Tubac’s Sky Painter,”  Tubac Visitor’s Guide  (cover/feature artist)
•  “Love of the Land,”  Scottsdale Magazine  
• “Cloud Interpreter,”  SkyWest Magazine  (Delta/United Airlines, inflight)