The Art of David Arsenault

The Art of David Arsenault The page of Gloucester MA American Realist oil painter David Arsenault. David Arsenault has been an oil painter for more than 20 years.

Light-filled, colorful art that captures ordinary moments in an extraordinary way. A visit to The Art of David Arsenault Gallery offers you a timeless interpretation of the Cape Ann experience. Colorful, peaceful scenes of Rockport, Gloucester, and more, along with unique perspectives on our world, leave you feeling at peace yet engaged and seeing in a different way when you return to the outdoors

. The next time you visit Rockport, step inside the gallery and meet David and his wife Sue, enjoy relaxing jazz music, and take your time viewing dozens of original oil paintings and numerous canvas giclée prints. Be sure to bring your own unique way of seeing—along with your love of Cape Ann. The Wall Street Journal once recognized his style for its similarity to Edward Hopper’s—who likewise painted on Cape Ann—by stating that “Some of Mr. Arsenault’s paintings could pass for works by Edward Hopper, just at a thousandth of the price.” Arsenault is known for his colorful and
dramatically-lit “frozen moment” scenes of Cape Ann and Cape Cod, along with road trips, neon signs and night, and landmarks like diners and drive-ins. His current work is exclusively made up of paintings depicting places in and around Cape Ann, focusing around Rockport and Gloucester.

A collector in San Diego once introduced me to the works of California realist painter John Register (1939-96). This is ...
06/24/2026

A collector in San Diego once introduced me to the works of California realist painter John Register (1939-96). This is one of his works "Motel, Route 66" (oil, 1991). I'm sure you can see why style and subject matter would appeal to me.

Hoping to finish the 24" x 30" "Above the Annisquam River"—begun June 2nd—either today or tomorrow. Very close! We were ...
06/23/2026

Hoping to finish the 24" x 30" "Above the Annisquam River"—begun June 2nd—either today or tomorrow. Very close! We were in Newburyport yesterday, and had yet another encounter with Anne Tyler's Three Days in June with my painting on the cover. jabberwockybookshop.com

Back when Sue and I lived in Rockport (2014-2020), we could roll out of our High Street bed and catch the sunrise at T-W...
06/22/2026

Back when Sue and I lived in Rockport (2014-2020), we could roll out of our High Street bed and catch the sunrise at T-Wharf. This was one such dawn on this date in 2019. I enjoyed seeing it again, and thought you might enjoy as well.

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had...
06/21/2026

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
PS—Happy Father's Day, dads everywhere!
(Shown: "Summer in Rockport" • oil on canvas • private collection)

Cats and artists go together. Did you know that? Matisse, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and many more, all had cats for pets. Me...
06/20/2026

Cats and artists go together. Did you know that? Matisse, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and many more, all had cats for pets. Me too; I've had cats since the 1980s—before I even became an artist! You could make the assessment that they're kind of like us: observers, quiet, independent, curious...and moody. Here's a short video to explore the subject which includes photos of some famous artists with their cats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV17Ti8HQsA&t=243s
(Shown: "Signs of Life" • 24" x 24" oil on canvas • available)

Most every day is a day where going to the water's edge is possible. Depending on the time of year, it could involve mu...
06/19/2026

Most every day is a day where going to the water's edge is possible. Depending on the time of year, it could involve multiple layers to protect you from the cold wind. But we've now arrived at the end of spring; summer solstice is a mere two days away. For me, that means a long stretch of keeping the extra layers in the closet...and me at the shore as much as possible.
(Shown: "The Tide Has Turned" • 24" x 30" oil • available)

I'm happy to announce "Modern Masters," a painting exhibition coming next month in Beckley, West Virginia. Paintings fro...
06/17/2026

I'm happy to announce "Modern Masters," a painting exhibition coming next month in Beckley, West Virginia. Paintings from the Rizo Collection—including some of mine—will be featured, and food and music will be enjoyed. This attractive flyer provides all of the information you need should you be able to attend. A portion of my painting "And So It Begins" appears in the lower left.

"Artists don't want an audience. They want a bridge." —Way Walker"Each of us has our own way of seeing the world. Art ha...
06/16/2026

"Artists don't want an audience. They want a bridge." —Way Walker
"Each of us has our own way of seeing the world. Art has an ability to connect us beyond the limitations of language." —Rick Rubin
Shown: "The Off-Season" • 12" x 36" oil • private collection

06/16/2026

Opening Reception + 14th Anniversary Celebration!

Join us on Saturday, June 20, from 5–8 PM for the opening reception of Kinetic Atmospheres, featuring the extraordinary work of James Paterson and Constance Kheel.

This exhibition brings together Paterson's imaginative kinetic sculptures and Kheel's vibrant abstract paintings in a dynamic pairing that fills the gallery with color, movement, energy, and wonder. It's a truly special exhibition and one that deserves to be experienced in person.

We're also celebrating 14 years of The Laffer Gallery, and we'd love for you to join us for this milestone occasion. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, reconnect with friends, and help us celebrate another year of bringing exceptional contemporary art to our community.

Attached is a sneak-preview installation photos to give you a glimpse of what's in store.

We hope to see you there!

The Laffer Gallery
96 Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY
June 20 | 5–8 PM

www.thelaffergallery.com

My solo exhibition opens at the Rockport Art Association & Museum in exactly two months, on August 15th, with the ambiti...
06/15/2026

My solo exhibition opens at the Rockport Art Association & Museum in exactly two months, on August 15th, with the ambitious goal of showing only paintings created in the past 18 months. We’ll see about that: I just “did the math” (comparing linear wall space vs. completed painting widths) and the numbers aren’t nearly a match.
The show is entitled “Invitations & Icons.” My intent is to present a grouping of images that either 1) open the door to opportunities and experiences (invitations); or 2) depict ideas and symbolic objects that seem “larger than life” or emblematic of importance. These two pieces are likely to be included: “Stowe Away” (12” x 12” oil) and “Pop Top” (24” x 24” oil). Meanwhile, I’d better get busy!

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Gloucester, MA
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