David Umholtz

David C. Umholtz is an artist of extensive experience and expertise. He has taught, acted as visiting artist, printmaking consultant and exhibited since the 1970s. Umholtz, founder of the renowned Moosehead Press in Winnipeg, has been an anchor for artists across Canada. Umholtz now lives and works on Deer Island. His surroundings have a strong influence on his work. His professed love of maps is intertwined with local coastal subjects, which reflect in the titles of his works: Entry to Saint John, Ice Outside the Harbour and Old Sow (the famous Bay of Fundy Whirlpool). Some of his works are so map-like that the artist has included the following disclaimer in his statement: “Please note that none of these prints are fit for the purpose of navigation.” Umholtz uses the visual vocabulary of the cartographer and integrates it into his own language. Many of his prints, at first glance, look like charming primitive maps. The landmasses are dotted with triangular trees, piers and houses. Waves and whirlpools punctuate the water. Distance scales or gridlines titles work as borders. Only a very skilled artist, like David Umholtz, can take primary colours and chunky black outlines, layout designs and triangles, cross marks, grids and lines and still create such intriguing and involving images. David Umholtz has shown his work in many countries including U.S.A, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and Australia.