Artist Spotlight - David Townsend, Uniquely Revealing Art

Jul/Aug 2021 edition
Issue #17 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Written by Sharon Spurlin
Photos by David Townsend. Please do not duplicate without permission.

​David Townsend grew up around cars, picking up wrenches and helping his dad work on his Triumph TR3 long before he was able to (legally or otherwise) drive. He kept bending wrenches as a teenager and has owned a parade of mostly sports and performance cars, the bulk of which have been British, with a sprinkling of German, French and even some American iron. 

Like most of us, he would love to have all of those cars back… well, except for the VW 412 that burned to the ground – but that’s another story! He sees those past cars as a microcosm of time when “product development” meant grabbing a part, bolting it on and seeing if it worked. A “simulator” meant being strapped into the seat of his latest ride, and “how fast he could go” was limited less by his budget than his nerve. The times were viscerally simple in his mind. Illustrating the cars of his youth is a way to recall that uncomplicated era. 

​Illustrating these cars is also a way for him to recount, in a visual way, the stories of those who dreamed up these fabulous machines and often staked their fortunes and reputations on bringing those visions to life. His inspiration for drawing is part nostalgia, part storytelling, part selfish indulgence – and all fun! 

Photo of a custom print using translucent ink on brushed aluminum composite, which allows the metal to show through. Sized 47"x23". Cost $825, not including taxes or shipping.

Type 547 Porsche Engine

After a career spent in advertising, design and web architecture, David wanted to explore his fine arts side. Things started innocently enough when he responded to an online inquiry requesting help replicating a vintage racing decal. The requests and the complexity grew in scope and volume, and today he has more than 175 mostly post-war makes and models depicted in fine art prints and large-scale display catalogs.  

David started his professional illustration career on a drawing board with markers and pens. It took another 40 years before computer technology would develop to the point of making digital illustration a reality for him. 

He knew art was not just about storytelling, but about discovery and expanding knowledge. As his new illustration techniques and the technology matured, it was only natural that he would want to explore the many possibilities.  

Today, his pens and paper have been almost completely traded in for the computer and a drawing tablet. Adobe Illustrator is his medium of choice, but the results are still very much hand drawn. “I guess it’s just part of my analog heritage and sense of what things should look like,” David says. “While I sometimes miss the tactile aspect that comes with pen and paper – the electronic versions are not quite the same – there are things I can do in the electronic environment that just wouldn’t be possible on a drawing board.” 

Gurney Eagle Weslake

David found his niche in the classic car world, by revealing through his art not only the sleek lines of classic European sports cars, but also what lies under the body in his own illustrative exquisite detail. His unique art is not unlike Jimmy Buffett’s in the music world, as he sets his own style and artistic space. When you see his work, you know it’s a David Townsend piece.

Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster

The best part for buyers is that they have the ability to choose the artwork that matches their classic, from the model to color as well as options and accessories. Currently, David sells his fine art pigment prints in many different variations, including signed or unsigned; limited numbered editions (which include a certificate of authenticity) or open editions; framed or unframed; matted or unmatted; unlit or backlit. All variations are available as acid-free archival paper prints, brushed aluminum prints or dye-sublimated prints. Low-resolution proofs are furnished prior to printing, with client approval required. Sizes range from 22"x16.5" up to as large as a printer can produce. David’s artwork has graced the walls of many mancaves, including some popular garage condos at AutoMotorPlex in Minnesota (featured in AutoMobilia Resource Issue 9, pgs 50-51).

Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

 Prices range from $129 for a 22"x16.5" open edition to $389 for a 30"x20" limited edition. The larger custom sizes vary greatly in price depending on size and options such as backlit, material, etc., but in general range from $1,200 to $3,000

​The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was even featured on the cover of AutoMobilia Resource, edition #17.

David Townsend 
802-558-9769 • Vermont
SportsCarArt.com 
[email protected]

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