february greetings from ras president

Greetings from your new

Rye Art Study President, Dave Turbide

Greetings and best wishes friends, art lovers, and members of Rye Art Study. I feel honored and privileged to be able to take on the responsibilities of president of this fine organization. And I look forward to not only helping to continue the programs and activities that are the hallmark of RAS but, with your help, find new ways to expand our exploration of art on the seacoast and perhaps beyond. Let’s all see what we can accomplish together.

I’m somewhat new to art myself, having spent most of my life as a math/science nerd, manufacturing engineer, management consultant, and technical writer. I did draw and color as a tot, of course, but abandoned all that when I started school, then college, the Air Force, and a career in technology. About fifteen years ago, back in the Seacoast area, I happened to attend a couple of watercolor painting workshop sessions at local libraries and community centers and found, much to my surprise, that it was interesting, fun, and the results weren’t entirely disgusting. Eventually, I sought out more painting experiences including Doris Rice’s weekly workshops at Seacoast Artists Association in Exeter. To make a long story just a bit longer, I became a regular at Doris’ sessions, joined SAA, became a regular exhibitor there, sold a few paintings and pursued painting more seriously as my next “career” in retirement. In time I got involved with the SAA board then became president in 2022.

In 2019 took a week-long “intensive” oil painting class with Todd Bonita and instantly got hooked, painting only in oils for the next 18 months. I switched to acrylics in 2021 as more suited to my style and temperament. I am, more than anything, an acrylics painter and continue to practice a philosophy of life-long learning by exploring other media – graphite, pastels, colored pencil, acrylic pour, and any other approach that catches my interest through classes and workshops at the Currier, SAA, Sanctuary Arts, and other venues. I am also a member of New Hampshire Art Association and Kittery Art Association where I occasionally show my work as well as at local libraries and several outside venues like the Exeter Inn in Exeter.

Born and raised in Newburyport, I moved from Beverly Mass to Hampton, New Hampshire in 2001 and have lived in North Hampton, Newington, and now Rye. My two daughters (in their forties), son-in-law, and two grandchildren (12 and 15) live nearby.

Rye Art Study is a wonderful organization, and I am very happy to be playing a small role in helping RAS continue and grow in the coming years. I cordially invite you to join us at our monthly meetings and volunteer to help us grow and thrive.