The Art Center

Online Pop-Up Exhibit: David R. Maas

David R. Maas

 

Welcome to the Online Pop-Up Exhibit for David R. Maas, local multi media artist. This online exhibit will be available for view August 23 – November 1, 2025. Works are also on view at The Art Center in the Jake W. Boge Library and Gallery

Meet the Artist:

Join us for Members First Friday on September 5, 4:30 – 6pm, where we will hear an artist talk from David Maas along with a Q&A at 5pm. 

Artist Bio:

Born and raised in Quincy, David Maas studied art at Quincy University and Western Illinois University. He was the Art Teacher at Payson Seymour Junior and Senior High for 33 years from 1971-2004, and is currently an adjunct professor at Quincy University. In 2007, Maas co-founded “Gallery 310” in Hannibal, MO and is the last remaining charter member. Influenced by many artists and art movements and teaching 2-D and 3-D art for decades has led Maas to produce works in many mediums and styles – such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and collage. Currently his work is focused on figure drawing and exaggerated foreshortening. Along with his variety of mediums, his influences are also present in his works- pop-art, surrealism, op art, impressionism/post-impressionism, regionalism, and Japanese Gyotaku printmaking. The later, Gyotaku, came about from his love of fishing which he shared as a fishing instructor for the Quincy Park District from 2006 – 2013.

“I have enjoyed working in lots of different media and techniques. Watercolor and acrylic are my most commonly used paints, and my styles and subject matter are determined by my interests at the time. I enjoy fishing, so I frequently ‘record’ the fish I catch by actually applying ink to the fish and then rubbing-pulling the image off the fish itself, much like a block print – the Japanese technique of Gyotaku. Because of my interest in drawing the human figures and faces – both realistically and in caricature form – I have begun to paint with a blend of realism and exaggeration.” 

David and Wendy Maas have been married since 1977 and have two sons and two grandchildren. Together, David and Wendy co-wrote, researched, and published numerous trivia books and trivia calendars, including Quincy Trivia #1 and #2. Maas was also a free-lance greeting card designer and writer for Recycled Paper products, Chicago, IL from 1972 -1980. He has previous gallery affiliations in Moline, IL and Lake Geneva, WI and has works that hang in the United States, Canada, and assorted countries in Europe and Asia.

Artist Statement:

I paint, I draw, I print, I sculpt.   I’m also an art teacher.
    Art is what I can NOT put into simple words.
I may mostly paint one week and then draw for the
following  two weeks.  At the same time, I might be
working on a small abstract sculpture.  A month later
perhaps I’ll  produce a large quantity of my fish (GYOTAKU) prints.

Currently I very much enjoy the process of drawing human figures.
I have the fun of ‘playing with’ elaborate foreshortening and
distorted perspective when completing these drawings.
(But, I always have a painting or two going on ‘in the background)
   Over the years I’ve done many caricatures of the human face.
In effect, my people-drawings become caricatures of human figures.

The joy of creating and the process of putting it ‘all together’
in a visual form that a viewer can relate to is what drives
most artists. All artists are ‘required to do their art’.
I’m honored and delighted to be one of those artists.

Enjoy your visit to our online gallery of David R. Maas

Artworks can be purchased online and in-person at The Art Center. Items are available for local pick-up. Packaging and Shipping can also be arranged at an additional cost to the buyer. To request an in-person viewing of the artworks, please email Director of Exhibitions, Elizabeth Swick, at [email protected] or by calling 217.223.5900.

Are you a member? Members receive a 15% discount on artwork purchases! To redeem your membership discount, please call or purchase artwork in person at The Art Center.