David Gerton
David M. Gerton, a Colorado native, spent many hours fishing with family—his father, grandfathers, and cousins—exploring the waters of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. These experiences fostered his deep love for the natural world. His family also instilled in him a deep appreciation for his country and its freedoms, which often inspire the patriotic themes present in his art.
David’s professional background was in the Commercial and Industrial Lighting industry, where he became a Certified Lighting Designer and a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. However, his true passion has always been design and art. As an artist, he focuses on creating works that celebrate the wild beauty of nature, depicting animals such as wolves, bears, eagles, owls, and other wildlife, as well as landscapes. He also memorializes beloved pets in copper.
David’s process begins by scribing an image onto a thin copper sheet, which is then shaped using small hammers and embossing tools to create a three-dimensional likeness of the subject. Once the image is complete, he uses various paints, patinas, and washes to “antique” and color the copper. A torch is carefully applied with color mediums to achieve subtle tones, and transparent alcohol inks are used for the final palette.
The result is a series of copper “paintings” with remarkable depth and lifelike qualities. Each piece is signed twice—once visibly, and once hidden—and sealed with a wax emblem of an American Eagle before being coated with a layer of crystal-clear epoxy resin, which provides a durable, glass-like finish. No glass is used in framing the art. Each piece also contains a hidden heart, waiting to be discovered by the viewer.
Most of David’s works are crafted from single sheets of copper, and high-definition Giclée prints of the original pieces are available on aluminum in various sizes, including up to 4’ by 8’. His large-scale works have ranged up to 5’ by 10’. His copper art can be found in collections across the United States, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. David has participated in numerous shows, festivals, and Plein Air events, receiving accolades such as People’s Choice, Featured Artist, Artist of the Month, and Best in Show awards.
David’s Copper Works Art studio is located in Southwest Washington, overlooking the beautiful Columbia River.