ABOUT
David Isbester is an Australian impressionist painter based in Canowindra, in the Central West of New South Wales. Working primarily in oil, David paints the Australian landscape both en plein air and in the studio, drawn to the distinctive light, colour and character of the places around him.
His approach is grounded in observation, drawing and tonal painting, with broad, expressive brushwork and a limited palette used to capture the essence of a scene rather than every detail. From the country towns and landscapes of Central West NSW to the coast, outback and other parts of Australia, his paintings are an ongoing exploration of Australian light and the ordinary places that make the country distinctive.
David began painting in his early twenties and has spent more than 25 years developing his practice as a painter, gallery owner, curator and teacher. His work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions across Australia, while his love of painting outdoors continues to take him into the landscape whenever possible.
Alongside his own painting practice, David teaches plein air painting and life drawing, sharing an approach centred on drawing, tone, temperature, edges and the freedom of working directly from observation.
For David, painting is ultimately about connection — to a place, to the moment and to the people who see something of their own experience in a painting.
A creative life
There’s a lot more to being a painter than standing in front of a canvas with a paintbrush.
These days, life is a mixture of painting, teaching, travelling, running a gallery, making plans, changing those plans, and trying to make enough time for all the things that matter. I’m also helping in homeschooling my daughter, Lacey, which has added a completely different — and very welcome — dimension to life.
I’d like to keep building a life around creativity and curiosity. I want to travel to places I haven’t painted before, from the Australian outback to landscapes further afield. I want to keep growing as a painter, keep learning, and keep making paintings that surprise me.
I’d like to teach more — not just because I enjoy teaching, but because there’s something wonderful about helping someone else discover that they can paint. I’d like to exhibit more, meet more artists and painters, and find opportunities to take painting into new places.
And, of course, I’d like to make more great paintings. That seems like a pretty good way to spend a life.
Somewhere amongst all of that is the bigger ambition: to live a creative life, keep learning, keep looking, and be the best Dad I can be.
It’s a work in progress.
Thankfully, so is the painting.
Exhibitions
2026
"Quiet Corners" Two-artist show with Peter Larsen, A Thousand Words Gallery, Carcoar, NSW.
2025
"Outside the Box" Two-artist Exhibition with Peter Larsen, Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
"Unplugged" Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
"Field Notes" Rosebank Gallery, Millthorpe, NSW.
"Something Different" Three-artist Exhibition, Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
"Unplugged" Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
2024
"Here and There" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
"9x5 2024" Highly Commended, Victorian Artists Society Gallery, East Melbourne, Vic.
"The Right Angle" Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
"The Unseen Exhibition" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2023
"Grounding" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
"Like a Viking..." Rosnay Cellar Door Gallery, Billimari, NSW.
"In the Beginning" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2022
"Standing Out" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
"When only the West will Do" Three-artist exhibition with Dermott Rodwell and Peter Larsen, Grenfell Art Gallery, Grenfell, NSW.
2017
"100 Mile Exhibition" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2016
"Back on Track" David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2013
"Walking Lightly and Brightly" Yarralumla Gallery, Canberra, ACT.
2012
"Simply Being" Riverbank Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2011
"Out of Control" Riverbank Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2010
'Pistachios' Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2009
"Mudita" Riverbank Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2008
'Figuration' Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
"Down to Earth" Two artist show with Yvonne Preston, CAN Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.
2007
Annual Exhibition- Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2006
"Nudes" Kalari Winery, Cowra, NSW.
Annual Exhibition- Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2005
Annual Exhibition- Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2004
Annual Exhibition- Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2003
Annual Exhibition -Riverbank Gallery. Canowindra, NSW.
2002
"Sold Out" Riverbank Gallery, Canowindra, NSW.