David Frederick Heatwole » Ohio Artist Registry

 The career of David Frederick Heatwole as an artist may have begun 238 years ago when his ancestors arrived in the Shenandoah Valley from Germany.  The immigrant Heatwoles were craftsmen and storytellers.  His father, a renowned sculptor of science fiction, fantasy, and folklore, fostered Heatwole’s artistic pursuits, and his mother’s carefree humor encouraged him to peruse the purity of discovery continually.  At 54 years old, David Heatwole is an eleventh-generation artisan who resides and creates in the shadows of the great city of Cleveland, Ohio. 

          In his early career, Heatwole focused mostly on intricate, time-consuming drawings that expressed complex stories through their careful lines. While his training in commercial art and illustration did not force him out of his comfort zone into painting, it did allow him to continue telling stories and working in materials he knew and liked: pencil, charcoal, and pastels.

           It was not until he experienced one of his life’s biggest challenges in 1996 that Heatwole found the impetus to delve into a completely new artistic style. During this time of transition, it was as if he’d found his dormant voice. In a whirlwind of creativity, he turned anything he could get his hands on to in to art. His new work was prolific and more contemporary, in the style of automatic surrealism. It had an instant appeal and sold quickly. Acknowledging his new abilities, Heatwole took the pseudonym, David Johnson, to reflect the vibrant energy displayed in this new work.

           Heatwole’s artistic career hit another turn in development when Heatwole experienced a spiritual evolution that caused him to re-think his reasons for creating art. It became clear to him that the work of David Johnson was now insufficient – it needed depth. His mission became to create art for a purpose, rather than merely for the sake of creation. Using the techniques amassed while creating under the name David Johnson, Heatwole’s work matured, now illustrating eternity and synergy. Heatwole had come full circle, again telling a story. Armed now with talent, skill and maturity, Heatwole took a pseudonym for David Johnson, and began to produce work as D.J. Priest.

           Pop iconography and three-dimensional paintings dominate D.J. Priest’s body of work. When viewed through 3/D glasses, the canvas disappears and the surrounding surroundings takes its place, giving the impression that the paintings are truly three dimensional. The deception goes beyond what is usually involved in appreciating art. Priest’s innovative paintings force the viewer to go beyond the surface of things and into another dimension of reality. Art frequently prompts contemplation of the work’s significance or symbolism, but Priest’s most popular works to date inspire participation in the work itself, as well as imaginative and original ideas.