David McClure (artist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David McClure
David McClure, Casteldaccia, Sicily 1956.
Born	David McClure (1926-02-20)20 February 1926 Lochwinnoch, Scotland
Died	20 February 1998(1998-02-20) (aged 72) Dundee, Scotland
Nationality	Scottish
Known for	Painting, drawing, printmaking
Awards	Guthrie Award, 1956
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David McClure (born February 20, 1926 – died February 20, 1998) was a Scottish artist and teacher. He was famous for his beautiful paintings. He painted many different things, like still lifes (pictures of objects), interiors (inside rooms), people, and family portraits. He also loved painting landscapes (nature scenes) and townscapes (city scenes) from places like Scotland, Italy, Sicily, and Spain. He lived and traveled in these places during his life.

David McClure was born in Lochwinnoch, Scotland, in 1926. He finished his art studies in the early 1950s at Edinburgh College of Art. Early in his career, he spent a lot of time working in Spain, Italy, Sicily, and later Norway. He spent most of his professional life in Dundee, Scotland. There, he lived with his wife and family. He taught at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (which is now part of the University of Dundee) starting in 1958. For his last two years there, he was the head of painting. He took over this job from his friend and fellow artist, Alberto Morrocco, before he retired in 1985.

David McClure's Early Life and School

David McClure was born in Lochwinnoch in 1926. He went to Queen's Park School in Glasgow. During World War II, David worked as a miner in West Lothian. This was part of a special program called the Bevin Boys. Some of his first artworks show these times. He painted scenes from the mines and portraits of the miners. He also painted landscapes of mining areas. These paintings were influenced by the artist Graham Sutherland.

Before this, David was studying English and History at Glasgow University. But his time in the mines made him want to paint even more. His father's family had been furniture designers in Lochwinnoch for many years. They made furniture for famous ships built on the River Clyde. His father, Robert, also loved art. He went to drawing classes and painted pictures of local pets.

David first joined the Fine Art course at Edinburgh. He split his time between studying Art History at the University of Edinburgh and painting at the Art College. After one year, he decided to focus only on painting at the Art College.

McClure studied at Edinburgh College of Art in the late 1940s. Other famous artists like Elizabeth Blackadder and John Houston were also studying there. They were taught by important Edinburgh artists like Anne Redpath and William Gillies. David McClure's art was also inspired by French artists. He admired masters like Matisse, Gauguin, Picasso, and Chagall. His paintings often used rich colors, following a long Scottish art tradition. His art was always thoughtful and connected to history, books, and music. It often celebrated the good things in life and nature.

Traveling and Working as an Artist

In 1952, David McClure won a special scholarship from the Art College. This allowed him to travel and work in France, Spain, and Italy. In 1955, he received another scholarship, the Andrew Grant Scholarship. This led to more travel and painting in Scotland, Florence, and Sicily. In these places, he focused on painting landscapes and town scenes. He also painted some still lifes.

After his time in Sicily, McClure came back to Scotland. He taught at Edinburgh College of Art and kept painting. During this time, he was asked to create murals and ceiling paintings for the King's room at Falkland Palace in Fife. You can still see his artwork there today.

David McClure spent the rest of his working life in Dundee. He lived there with his family. From 1958, he taught at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. This college is now part of the University of Dundee. He was known as a very inspiring and caring teacher. McClure believed strongly in good drawing skills. He also thought it was important to learn about art history and the craft of painting. He took time to help students who found art more difficult. His strong ideas and knowledge made a big impact on the college.

People at Duncan of Jordanstone remember him for "opening the minds of staff and students." For his last two years there, he was the head of painting. He took over this job from his good friend and fellow Scottish artist, Alberto Morrocco. David McClure retired in 1985. After retiring, he continued to paint full-time in his studio. This studio was at his family home in Strawberry Bank, Dundee. He sometimes had health problems during this time. But his health did not stop him from painting until the very end. In his last years, he created some of his best landscape paintings. These were inspired by his summer visits to North-West Sutherland. He was so determined to paint that he even had an oxygen tank set up in his studio with a long tube and mask.

David McClure's Family Life

David McClure married Joyce Flanigan in 1950. They had three children: Robin, Paola, and Kevin. David married again in 1991 to an artist named Angela Bradbury. He lived with her for the rest of his life. David McClure passed away peacefully on his 72nd birthday, in 1998, at his home in Strawberry Bank, Dundee.

Where You Can See His Art

David McClure's paintings are kept in many public and private art collections across the UK. Some of these places include: