David Schluss

David Schluss discovered his passion for art while growing up in the ancient Israeli seaport of Jaffa, where the mystical city walls and historic religious architecture captivated his imagination. Unable to afford proper painting materials as a young artist, he practiced his craft with charcoal and cheap pencils, giving his sketches away to anyone who showed interest. In his early twenties, Schluss moved to Montreal, Canada, where he enrolled at the renowned Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1969. He later earned his fine arts degree from the University of Sir George Williams in Montreal in 1971.
Inspired by masters such as Chagall, Miró, and Botero, Schluss developed his distinctive technique through a fortunate accident. While attempting to wipe away an unwanted area on his canvas, he discovered that the image created with his hands and a rag was far more interesting than what he had achieved with brushes. Since that day, he has painted exclusively with his hands, applying oils directly to specially prepared canvases using his fingers and palms to create remarkable plays of light and three-dimensional textures.
Schluss opened his studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1983, where his work evolved from earlier melancholy themes to joyous celebrations featuring elegant musicians and dancers adorned with vibrant colors. He has since expanded into limited-edition bronze sculptures with hand-applied patinas. His works are exhibited worldwide, including at the Teffen Museum in Israel and the Sheraton Tel-Aviv, and he is represented by Park West Gallery.