David Early Biography
Southern California based artist, David Early, is recognized internationally as one of today’s top contemporary artists. His work is admired for his inventive use of materials, autobiographical content and his idiosyncratic attention to detail.
Born into a middle-class suburban family in Orange County, California, Early's father was a welder, and his mother stayed home to raise four children. From their examples, Early quickly learned the value of having a solid work ethic and a strong moral compass, both of which continue to guide him to this day.
Early earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on Studio Art/Drawing and Painting at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) where he graduated with top honors in his area of discipline. After receiving his degree, he focused his attention on painting.
As his skills matured, David Early achieved the distinct ability to visually stimulate his audience using popular imagery and contemporary techniques. He has always carried within him an innate ability to create ideas through visual communication that resonate with viewers.
While earning his BFA, David worked as a Creative Director for an advertising agency where he gained invaluable business knowledge that helped his own career flourish in today’s art world.
In 1991, he began collaborating with local Los Angeles-based theater companies as a scenic designer and set painter. In 1992, Early was awarded the Critic’s Award for Scenic Designer of the year through Drama Logue Magazine.
In 1996, Early relocated to Paris, France where he worked for three years as a full-time artist commissioned to paint ceilings, portraits and murals. During that time, he studied at the Alliance Francaise, became an active member of the “Z Group,” an international arts discussion group, and also an exhibiting member with Le Marché des Artistes organized through the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris.
Early spent several months living and working in the South of France where he studied under some of the finest contemporary artists today, including Jean Danglade and Sissy Vanere. It was in France that he began to focus his energies on portraiture and public, site-specific artwork.
David Early Businesses
Having renewed energy and enthusiasm, Early returned to the United States in 2000 and started two companies: David Early Fine Art (DEFA) and David Early Studio, both in Long Beach, California.
David Early Fine Art (DEFA)
Upon his return, Early was determined to conceptualize and paint works that could be seen by thousands every day. To accomplish this goal, he formed David Early Fine Art. His vision came true when he was commissioned by California Pizza Kitchen to produce individual ‘oil on cardboard’ (pizza boxes) paintings. He worked with this popular restaurant chain for more than a decade, and his work can be seen in over 200 locations worldwide.
DEFA became a full-service art resource company catering to the needs of interior designers, architects, restaurants, churches, hotels (corporate/private), special corporate events, large and small businesses, office spaces and private collectors.
DEFA specializes in, but is not limited to, the creation of custom, site-specific original art works – oil/acrylic paintings, works on paper, murals, graphics, concept installations and decorative painting.
DEFA has had the great privilege and pleasure of creating original artwork for clients such as California Pizza Kitchen (worldwide), Real Mex Corporation (nationwide), Patina Group, Marie Callender’s, Burke in the Box (Celebrity Chef, David Burke), Disney (Los Angeles), Norms Restaurants, Las Brisas Restaurant (Laguna Beach), San Antonio Winery (Los Angeles), Napa Valley Grill, Citrus Grill, Pacific Design Center (West Hollywood) and Butterfields (Los Angeles) to name a few.
DEFA’s most recent project is the complete renovation of the 1939 historic Lido Theater (Newport Beach, California) interior ceiling mural using florescent paint. He also transformed the St. Gertrude the Great Church located in Bell Gardens, California. with murals on walls and ceiling.
DEFA has a staff of talented artists, graphic designers, curators and installers working togetherwhose sensibility and technique (each different) lend itself to virtually any client stylerequest. Styles such as Modernism, Contemporary, Impressionism, Abstract and more are all available.
From the conceptual stages of design to the creation and installation of artwork, DEFAexecutes each project with extreme care, precision, creativity and passion.
David Early Studio
David Early Studio was formed in order to maintain a personal commitment to continue creating his own art. He has shown in galleries throughout France and the United States. Most notably in 2004, Early helped launch the L2Kontemporary Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles with his solo exhibit titled “Holy Saint, Holy Martyr.”
David Early’s work is shown to a widespread audience and is regularly exhibited in galleries in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Paris. It is collected privately worldwide. He works on several concurrent projects and commissions as well as teaching private students.
David has spent years teaching art techniques for all age groups at several California locations. From 2015 to 2023, he founded, formed and led the Adult Fine Arts Program for people with disabilities at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center In Downey, California. After teaching a series of educational seminars to help students turn their artistic talents into a business, he coordinated several exhibits to sell their work. He now continues to offer monthly art classes to the students he taught there.