“Year of
the horse“
Sep 24—Oct 1 2026
Detroit-Stockolm
Roslagsgatan 21
Let’s hear them.
#stories
Author: David Öqvist
-
A New York ink story.
Today I saw a horse. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
Subway Impression. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2019 
SoHo Shower. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
-
Support my work with Ko-fi
If you enjoy my content and like to see more, you are now able to buy me a coffee to motivate and keep me going!
Ko-fi is a great website that helps creators get support from people who love what they do.
-
The Scandinavian darkness.
Traditionally Scandinavian painters has known for capturing the magic, intense nordic light. But the reality is that the nordic countries are covered in darkness for the most part of the year.
My goal is to capture that magic darkness with the help of fluid ink.
The feeling of going to work before the sun comes and going home after the sun has set. Where the only source of light you have to guide you are the artificial lights of cities and lamp-posts and when the mysterious northen lights appears in the far north.
Guide. Tusch på papper, 2010 The exhibition includes 6-8 ink paintings around 70x 50 cm, and 4 lithographic prints ( 40 x 30 cm) featuring classic locations as Skagen, Stockholm city and archipelago. All painted during the long lasting scandinavian winter.
All of the artworks are for sale.
//David Öqvist
Stortorget, ink on paper. -
New York in Stockholm
A lifelong dream came true when I got to have my own art show in New York.
During my stay I captured the great city with my sketchbook.
I used the best sketches and produced paintings for this show.
Where:
Kollektivet Hvitan, Katarina Bangata 47
When:
11 – 29 December 2017
Opening, 9 December kl. 17
-
”If I paint their eyes, they would fly away.”
The legendary Chinese artist Zhang Sengyou 張僧繇 was asked to paint a mural in a temple. He painted four dragons but left out the pupils in their eyes.
When the people asked him why Zhang explained that if he painted the pupils, the dragons would come alive.
When the on-lookers shook their heads in disbelief Zhang proceeded to paint the dragons eyes. As soon as he finished, the dragon roared to life and flew away in a thunderous flash of lightning!
Ink dragon This story embodies the philosophy of sumi-e. The goal is not simply to reproduce the appearance of a subject, but to capture its soul. To paint a horse, the artist must understand its temperament better than its muscles and bones.
To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly match its petals and colors, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance.
So when I paint urban life, I try to capture the atmosphere and magnetism of a big city. Feel the story behind each building and citizen.
/David Öqvist 2017
-
I want to see the craft
David Öqvist’s first exhibition in New York featured ink paintings of the great city.
“The method was quite simple, explore and capture the city with a sketchbook. Then later the same day use the best sketches to create sumi-e paintings with the image fresh in my mind. ”
SoHo Shower. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
west 59th street. NYC 
*The exhibition took place at Artist’s Place Gallery and was curated by Justin Von Allen.
*All of the paintings have been sold.
Opening night 
I want to see the craft
13 – 30 October 2016
Artists Place Gallery
412 Throop Ave, Brooklyn NY
Curated by Justin Von Allen
http://artistsplace.nyc/
-
Vargavinter
“Ljummen jul och ett blaskigt nyår,
kung bores slaskiga labyrinter,
oavsett väderlek vi uppleva får,
ännu en vargavinter”
-
Cold birch
40 x 25 cm, Ink on paper, 2013.
Early spring, cold white birchtrees.
High res.Contact me if you like to purchase this painting.
-
YogTowers for charity
Brittish Youtubers the Yogscast are currently raising funds for OXFAM, a vibrant global movement fighting poverty.To support this great initiative I’ve drawn this illustration, showing their efforts during their entertaining livestreams, broadcasted from the Yogscast’s office known as Yogtowers.
The original artwork was auctioned out and the earnings (£ 208) was donated to Honeydew’s Honeydrive, supporting Oxfam’s Plan Bee and 365 Emergency Response charities.
Plan Bee provides training and a workshop for the manufacture of modern beekeeping equipment for Ethopian families. It will open up new jobs and allow beekeepers to earn a better living for their families.
365 Emergency Fund is a specialised project dedicated to aiding emergency situations worldwide. Oxfam responds to around 25 situations worldwide at any one time.
The artwork is featured at the exhibition Game Art at the National Museum of Science and Technology, 2/2 – 21/4 2013. http://www.tekniskamuseet.se/1/4829.html
Original artwork:
Learn more:
-
Building Yogtowers
This past christmas, Brittish podcasters/youtubers Yogscast raised funds for Oxfam.
To support this great initiative I’ve drawn this illustration, showing their effort during the livestreams, broadcasted from the Yogscast office, known as Yogtowers. I hope to to contribute to this great cause by auctioning out the original inkdrawings here.
All earnings from this auction will be donated to the Honeydew Honeydrive, supporting Oxfam’s Plan Bee and 365 Emergency Response charities.
Plan Bee provides training and a workshop for the manufacture of modern beekeeping equipment for Ethopian families. It will open up new jobs and allow beekeepers to earn a better living for their families. 365 Emergency Fund is a specialised project dedicated to aiding emergency situations worldwide. Oxfam responds to around 25 situations worldwide at any one time.
The tower was built piece by piece by pasting together ink drawings of members of the Yogcast crew showing their great efforts during their fantastic livestreams, so far they have raised over £ 200’000 from donations, mainly from their tremendous fanbase, known as the Yognaughts.
Learn more about Honeydew’s honeydrive and Oxfam by watching this video:
-
Konst till Sveriges bästa konstförening!
Ett tips till alla konstnärer som har verk att sälja men har svårt att hitta köpare är att vända sig till någon av Sveriges alla tusentals konstföreningar. I dagarna sålde jag 2 verk till civilekonomernas konstförening, Sveriges (i min mening) bästa konstförening.
Det effektivaste är att boka ett möte med konstföreningen och ta sina verk under armen och presentera dem snyggt. Många konstföreningar har svårt att hitta fin samtida konst, så det är upp till oss konstnärer att visa upp oss.
I detta fall så hade jag en god vän som var medlem i konstföreningen, det är givetvis det enklaste sättet att fixa ett möte på. Har man inte den turen så går det lätt att hitta konstföreningar i din närhet här.
Tavlorna jag sålde:
Skeppholmsbron, 2010
Kåkbrinken 2012
