Interview

Written By Editorial Team

David Heatwole

David Frederick Heatwole’s artistic lineage began 238 years ago when his ancestors immigrated to the Shenandoah Valley from Germany. His forebears were craftsmen and storytellers, and his father, a celebrated sculptor of science fiction and folklore, nurtured his artistic journey. Now 54, Heatwole is an eleventh-generation artist based in Cleveland, Ohio. Initially, Heatwole specialized in intricate drawings that conveyed complex narratives. His commercial art and illustration training allowed him to work primarily with pencil, charcoal, and pastels, avoiding painting until a life-changing event in 1996 prompted a new artistic direction. This transition unlocked his creativity, leading to a prolific body of work characterized by automatic surrealism.

To signify this evolution, he adopted the pseudonym David Johnson. Heatwole’s artistic path took another turn with a spiritual awakening that deepened his purpose for creating art. Recognizing the need for greater depth, he founded the Transcendental Arts Council, producing ephemeral works in collaboration with communities. Under his new alias, D.J. Priest, Heatwole’s work matured to explore themes of eternity and synergy. D.J. Priest’s oeuvre prominently features pop iconography and three-dimensional paintings. Viewed through 3D glasses, these works create a spatial illusion, inviting viewers to engage with the art on a deeper level. His pieces encourage active participation and inspire imaginative thinking, transcending traditional artistic appreciation.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I grew up immersed in the world of art, learning at the elbow of my father, a successful sculptor. His achievements often took us to gallery exhibitions where I was exposed to the original works of some of the most talented fantasy and science fiction illustrators of the 1980s - artists whose book covers had already captivated my imagination. These experiences deeply inspired me and sparked a desire to explore the origins of creativity and artistic vision. To understand the foundations of art, I delved into the works of masters like Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol, and many others, studying what made their art movements revolutionary and uncovering the sources of their inspiration.”

What inspires you?

“I live in wonder. I am constantly being inspired. Often inspiration comes from interesting combinations of words that I hear people say or I happen to read somewhere. A big source of inspiration for me has been experiencing a slew of little miracles that have spoken to me at the right place and time. Sharing these experiences is a passion of mine as they point to something greater than us and this reality.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I work across a variety of series, blending realism, abstraction, and symbolism. A recurring theme in my art is the movement of information, reflecting my lifelong desire to communicate ideas. As my mother once observed, I’ve always sought to convey something meaningful - a truth I now express subtly through imagery.”

How would you describe your work?

“Thought provoking symbolism.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Modern masters who are virtually unknown but are my friends: Just Karl, Yuriy Karabash, Jim Isakson, Leslie Folksman, Dave Curtis, and Dennis Blalock who has passed.”

“A recurring theme in my art is the movement of information, reflecting my lifelong desire to communicate ideas.”

What is your creative process like?

“With some of my works I lay down a layer of thin paint that I then texturize with saran wrap. I then look at what is left with the textures and after it is dry I bring out imagery that I discover in the paint. This becomes the basis of my work or just the background. Sometimes, I sketch out ideas but usually I use automatic surrealism techniques.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“This is a fascinating question. I believe artists hold the potential to take on a transformative role in society. For years, I’ve been experimenting with ways artists can serve as catalysts for change, uniting people through the collaborative process of creating art. These experiments have proven successful, and I see elements of this vision emerging today as artists engage with communities in meaningful ways. My hope is to expand this concept, establishing arts ambassadors who work with communities across America and the globe to foster unity and inspire positive change through the power of creativity.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“For the last 15 years, I have made art but haven’t marketed my work seriously until last month. I recently entered a painting in the 53rd annual Juried Art Exhibition Valley Arts Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and I earned the 1st place award, which was a nice surprise.”

 
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