David Savellano is an artist who works primarily en plein air (outdoors), creating watercolor paintings that capture random moments—on the street, in nature, and wherever else his portable easel takes him. “I enjoy working outdoors because it’s unpredictable and lends itself to a kind of spontaneity you just can’t get in a studio,” he says.

Painting outdoors, especially in the urban settings he favors, requires adaptability and above all speed. Usually the elements are a factor, like the changing light and shadows patterns. I especially enjoy capturing the shop keepers and people going about their business to make the scene lively and entertaining. “I’m trying to capture the feel of a scene.”

The challenges involved in painting outside are essential to what makes this peculiar art form so vital, and a big part of David’s efforts to create the feeling and energy of spontaneous work. “When you paint outdoors, you’re completely immersed in the scene—the atmosphere, the mood,” says David. “You’re just soaking it in, feeling the subject—empathy—and actually capturing its essence. When I look at one of my paintings, I feel the energy of that place or scene like I was there yesterday. Ultimately, that’s the feeling I’m trying to induce in others who see my work.”

David lives in the Bay Area and is a native Californian, which is reflected in the sun-dappled streets and waterfront imagery that dominate his work. Although largely self-taught as a watercolor painter, he credits his 40 years as a practicing architect with having given him the drawing skills and strong sense of perspective that have elevated his artwork to a professional level.

Participating in many local and regional plein air events, David has produced award winning paintings while promoting the art form about which he’s so impassioned. When painting outdoors, he often draws a crowd of curious onlookers, experiencing the rare sight of creativity in progress “It changes their idea about art,” says David.