Beverly Hills High School graduate David Julius Roston is painting a new future and his work is creating a cache of fans and followers. Son of Dr. Warren and Alissa, two-time Beverly Hills School Board president, David has a clear vision of his artistic future.
“People have always told me to focus on one medium, but I can’t,” Roston said. “I want to combine all of my artistic interests into one grand experience. Lately I have been working primarily on abstract paintings, and would like to incorporate my own photography, typed poetry and illustrations onto the canvas through collage. Maybe even incorporate sound and video projections! There is no limit, really.”
Roston said he respects artists who focus on the medium itself.
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“Jackson Pollack dripped paint on canvas, Stan Brakhage burnt and scratched film, and Man Ray challenged the entire photo process through ‘rayograms.’ In these cases, their techniques create a visceral effect on the viewer that is completely ‘meta.’ This is what I strive to do by layering paint, building textures, and attacking the canvas.”
He says his style is “quite ethereal and abstract and possesses a lot of kinetic energy that flows nicely through a barrage of vibrant colors.
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“I believe this is a reflection of my generally upbeat, colorful personality.”
Roston said one day he wants to be the leader of community-based, large-scale, public art spectacles, but is currently focusing attention on his own development as an artist.
“I find inspiration all over. From other artists, performers, musicians, and being around like-minded people. It comes in the form of nature, from meeting new people, and traveling the world. I am very sensitive to my environment and surroundings and this highly impacts what I am doing and how I am doing it.”
Roston believes growing up in Beverly Hills influenced his confidence and abilities.
“I grew up with strong support for my artistic endeavors, and had a good grasp of the arts before I left for college. But I really expanded my abilities during my studies at the University of Michigan. Being away from Beverly Hills gave me the space I needed to grow as an individual and as an artist.”
However, his return to painting wasn’t always the plan.
“I have spent lots of time in recent years working on videos and drawings, and am making a comeback to an old love. I am a self-taught painter, and my approach to painting very expressive, a personal performance. For me, painting is a therapeutic process in which I can expressive myself in an intimate way. I love painting for its physical aspect—and I want to address that in my pieces.”
He was recently commissioned to create various pieces and had an art show on May 25th at the Unurban Coffee House in Santa Monica. In addition, one of his pieces was auctioned off at the 2013 Backdraft Ball in Beverly Hills.
FTA President Judie Fenton who orchestrated the Backdraft Ball event said Roston’s painting commanded a great deal of interest, despite the fact most of the art received little attention. “David’s piece was wonderful and sold for a great price,” Fenton said.
Roston is realistic about the road he has chosen to travel.
“Returning to LA and focusing on my art is a slow, but very exciting process. Since my first show people have been encouraging and supportive of my work.”
