01
David Heatwole
Symbolic painting, shifting planes and twenty years of exhibition work under the family name.
About my work
Energy, memory and the paths between things
“Most of my output consists of two-dimensional works of contemporary fine art intended as contemplative depictions of ebb and flow, the movement and transformation of an energetic world, and the interconnected paths of all things visible and unseen.”
David F. Heatwole
Life is mysterious, and most of the work is a record of trying to say so. The paintings move between pure surrealism and deep symbolism: shifting planes, boxes of portals, gardens that rearrange themselves, notes that come back holy. Communication with the divine is a recurring theme, and so is the one I like to think I am having with all of humanity.
I consider it my responsibility to show people there is more to the arts than mere aesthetics and entertainment — that art deserves the standing of government and more clout in society than sports. Several pieces are attempts to picture that goal. When I am making work, I push myself past my comfort zone. It is the only way the work stays alive.
Biography
David Frederick Heatwole is an eleventh-generation artist. His ancestors came to the Shenandoah Valley from Germany — craftsmen and storytellers — and his father, a sculptor of science fiction, fantasy and folklore, fostered the pursuit early.
His early career was built on intricate, time-consuming drawings that told complex stories through careful lines, and a commercial art and illustration education kept him in pencil, charcoal and pastel. In 1996, in the middle of the hardest passage of his life, the work broke open: anything he could get his hands on became art, fast and automatic and surreal.
A later spiritual turn made that speed feel insufficient. The work needed depth, and it has been after depth ever since.
The three names
Same studio, different doors
02
David Johnson
Adopted in 1996 for the burst of automatic surrealism — dribbles, rubbings and unbound color.
03
D.J. Priest
Pop iconography and painted three-dimension, made to be seen through polarizing lenses.
Exhibitions
Solo shows
Eleven solo exhibitions from 1992 to the present, from Bridgewater College to the Chrysalis Annex in Cleveland — followed by the rest of the record: group shows, juried prizes, art fairs, press and education.
- 2026Visions from the Main Artery — The Art of David HeatwoleChrysalis Annex Gallery, Cleveland, OH
- 2018Paintings by David HeatwoleBerkeley Art Works, Martinsburg, WV
- 2015Much Ado About SynergySpin the Bottle Wine Company, Frederick, MD
- 2014Creative EnergyThe Fine Arts Company, Hagerstown, MD
- 2012The Art of David HeatwoleMuseum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA
- 2010Heatwole's CreativityRed Brick Gallery, Martinsburg, WV
- 2007Prayers in PaintContemporary Art School and Gallery, Hagerstown, MD
- 2006Energy Art ExplosionMountain State University, Martinsburg, WV
- 20033 Names 1 Voice — The Art of David HeatwoleThe Artists' Gallery, Frederick, MD
- 1992Stone, Water and Schizothemic SurrealismShenandoah Valley Arts Center, Waynesboro, VA
- 1992Stone, Water and Schizothemic SurrealismBridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA
The record
Everything else on the CV
Two and three person exhibitions
5- 2021Two-person exhibition with Dave CurtisRehoboth Art League, Rehoboth, DE
- 2016Viewpoints — with Priya Saraf515 Gallery, Frederick, MD
- 2013More to do with dribblings: Heatwole & ScofieldExhibitions Art Gallery, Martinsburg, WV
- 2008Harmonic Dissonance: Heatwole & ZdepskiBlue Elephant Arts Center, Frederick, MD
- 2005Bubbles of Thought — three-person exhibitionThe Warehouse – Center for the Arts, Luray, VA
Forthcoming
2- 2027Three-person exhibition (February)The Art Garage, Port Clinton, OH
- 202655th Annual Juried Art Exhibition (November)Valley Arts Center, Chagrin Falls, OH
Selected group exhibitions
14- 2026Drawing from Perception, Invention, and MemoryRobert and Elaine Stein Galleries, Wright State University
- 2026Strange, InherentlySAMA Art Projects, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH
- 2026Paul and Norma Tikkanen Painting Prize ExhibitionAshtabula Arts Center, Ashtabula, OH
- 202579th Ohio Annual ExhibitionZanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
- 202531st Annual The View Landscape ExhibitionRosewood Arts Center, Kettering, OH
- 2025Art Without BoundsBlack Swamp Arts Center, Archbold, OH
- 2024Galex 58 National Competition & ExhibitionGalesburg Community Arts Center, Galesburg, IL
- 202453rd Annual Juried Art ExhibitionValley Arts Center, Chagrin Falls, OH
- 2021It's All Relative — Heatwole family exhibitionOasis Fine Art & Craft, Harrisonburg, VA
- 2021Season Pass Members' Exhibition (juried)SPACES Art Gallery, Cleveland, OH
- 2015LandscapesThe Artists Gallery, Frederick, MD
- 2010All of our Relations — invitationalIce House Arts Center, Berkeley Springs, WV
- 2008Unfiltered 10Blue Elephant Arts Center and Studios, Frederick, MD
- 20067th Annual Judeo-Christian Art Juried International ExhibitionUpstream People Gallery, online
Art fairs
3- 2025Art Vancouver Contemporary Art FairVancouver, Canada
- 2024Artexpo New YorkNew York, NY
- 2023Spectrum Miami Art FairMiami, FL
Awards and honors
6- 2026Honorable Mention — juried showThe Arts Garage, Port Clinton, OH
- 2024First Place — 53rd Annual Juried Art ExhibitionValley Arts Center, Chagrin Falls, OH
- 2015Second Place — An Occasion for the ArtsWilliamsburg, VA
- 2008Artist ScholarshipCreate West Virginia Conference
- 2008People's Choice and Best in Show — Unfiltered 10Blue Elephant Gallery, Frederick, MD
- 2008Third Place in Mixed Media — Red Barn ExhibitWaterford Arts Festival, Waterford, VA
Curatorial projects
4- 2005Exposed Energy — guest curatorThe Mallory Gallery, Martinsburg, WV
- 2004United States of Energy — guest curatorThe Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, MD
- 2002Gasmasked Geeks and Goons — curator, photography exhibitionPhotoworks, Leesburg, VA
- 2001The Reformation of Energy — curatorThe Art House Gallery, Leesburg, and Café Montmartre, Reston, VA
Artist residency
1- 2015First Artist in ResidenceDiscovery Museum, Winchester, VA
Education
1- 1988–90Commercial Art, Illustration SpecializationNorthern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus
Selected press and reviews
20- Visions from the Main Artery: The Art of David F. HeatwoleCAN Journal, Spring 2026
- Featured art: In-Sana Tea: Dove Dream BlendPJAS Issue 6, Light and Dark
- ESC Celebrates International Dot Day: Connecting the DotsThe Gazette, Sept 17, 2025
- Family Ties: Heatwole Descendants Celebrate Heritage in Gallery ShowThe Daily News Record, July 1, 2021
- Local artist's 'In-Sani Tea' oil painting inspiresThe Journal, Jan 18, 2020
- Artist to Pay the Arts Forward on the RoadThe Journal, May 7, 2015
- Artist: Contest winner 'touched my heart' with hospital photoEvening Sun, Dec 10, 2014
- Artist's mural will test the watersThe Herald-Mail, March 28, 2012
- Reprieve for MuralThe Journal, Nov 3, 2009
- MasterpieceThe Journal, July 11, 2009
- Stand Back For ArtThe Herald-Mail, July 11, 2009
- Synergistic HeartThe Good Newspaper, 2007
- Artist's work Powerful in three-dimensional showcaseThe Herald-Mail, 2007
- Synergy Movement UncoveredFrederick News Post, 2004
- Making Art Part of LifeThe Connection, 2002
- A-maze-ing Flower PowerThe Loudoun Times Mirror, May 10, 2000
- 'Umbrella Offering' PreparationsLeesburg Today, April 26, 2000
- A Brainstorm For an EyesoreThe Washington Post, Oct 29, 1998
- Something to do with EnergyLoudoun Arts Journal, Purcellville, VA, March 1998
- The Transcendental Arts Council — Out To Change The WorldThe Buzz, State College, PA, Aug 20, 1997