David Goatley

Born in London, England, David Goatley was captivated by Rembrandt when he was 15. From that moment in the National Gallery there was never any doubt he would paint portraits one day. He won a spot at London’s prestigious Camberwell School of Art at just 17, where his tutors included some of the most noted painters of the time. He later studied further with mentor Johnny Jonas, after 16 successful years in advertising had left him hungrier than ever to paint.

Since then he has completed close to 400 portrait commissions, his career really taking flight after relocating to North America in 1992. His subjects have included two Kings, two Princes, a Prime Minister, two Premiers, a Speaker of the House, five Lt. Governors, leaders in Business, the Law, Academia and the Arts as well as many private individuals and their families. His paintings are in two Royal collections, the Parliament of Canada, Legislative Buildings, Churches, Law Courts, Universities and Schools, Provincial art collections and museums, corporations and private homes across Canada and 24 States of the U.S. as well as in England, Europe, Central America and India.

His combination of English training, background in design, and wide North American experience give his paintings their distinctive quality and make him much in demand.

Today, he and his wife Sharon reside in Shawnigan lake, British Columbia, from where he travels to wherever his commissions take him (his airfare is included in his fee).  David can work happily from life, or entirely from photographs, depending on the wishes and availability of his subjects. He has completed many multi figure compositions as well as single figures and couples and is highly experienced in painting posthumous portraits.

David’s paintings have appeared in numerous group and solo exhibitions, often winning awards, and he has been featured in many publications including International Artist, Artists Magazine, Arabella, Canadian Business, Focus and numerous newspaper articles, radio and television spots. His portraits of leading lawyers and judges have graced the cover of the Advocate magazine for over four years – the original art hangs in the Vancouver law courts. He is also a noted painter of murals and large scale works for churches and institutions.