David Drummond has made a name for himself as one of the Southwest’s most recognized watercolorists. He’s a realist who’s in love with the West. “Painting the western landscape is a compulsion for me. I don’t think I could ever stop,” states Drummond.

Dramatic landscapes are a Drummond specialty. He’s widely recognized for his highly detailed and expressive paintings of Lake Powell.  “I’ve enjoyed a 20-year love affair with Lake Powell; I feel more at home there than anywhere else on earth. There are sculptured rock spires and walls here that put any man-made cathedral to shame… It has always astonished me that in an area hosting millions of visitors a year, a half-mile walk in any direction from my boat can bring me to a place of absolute solitude.  I love the Lake in all its moods, from glassy morning reflections to surf and thundering waterfalls during storms. I only hope that my paintings speak for me.”

David’s entire life has been about challenge and perfection. Drummond was raised in Pennsylvania where he studied art with Charlotte Wilson. He felt cramped in the East, however and moved to Colorado for his graduate studies; after receiving his doctorate in physics, Drummond went to work for the Air Force in Albuquerque as a laser optics specialist. A continuing passion for watercolors prompted Drummond to leave civilian employment with the Air Force in 1986 and paint full time. That same year he was elected to signature membership in the American Watercolor Society , and the following year into Watercolor West. Today, after more than 40 years in watercolors, Drummond confidently states that his best is yet to come.

During the past 14 years, Drummond has had 14 paintings included in the National Arts for the Parks top 100, eight in the Second 100 show, and has exhibited every year since the inception of the Mini 100. He has exhibited in numerous national juried shows including the American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, Watercolor West, Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit, Rocky Mountain National, and the San Diego International Exhibition. Drummond’s Art’s For the Parks pieces have been made into posters, calendars and postcards, and featured in a special “Arts From the Parks” book.