In the tradition of 20th century painters like Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, and Pablo Picasso, David Michael Slonim explores the expressive potential of abstract line, color, and texture.
He notes that his artistic heroes were themselves drawing on the rich history of abstraction as a form of expression throughout human history. "From ancient cave paintings to the art of the Egyptians, Greeks, Japanese, Chinese, Africans, Celts, Native Americans, and more," Slonim says, "art of every culture has expressed the belief that there is more to life than meets the eye. This is one reason the art of every culture includes examples of abstraction." Humor, pathos, and spirituality often coexist in Slonim's paintings, inviting the viewer to experience layered responses which may vary over time.
Like music, his paintings are meant to refresh the mind and soul. Slonim says, "Abstract art is music for the eyes."
Slonim’s first successes in the art world came in 1998 as a landscape painter, with subsequent gallery and museum exhibitions at Overland Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ; The Wickenburg Art Museum, Wickenburg, AZ; Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN; and the C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT. Turning to abstraction in 2014, he has exhibited with galleries in New York, Boston, Denver, Indianapolis, Scottsdale, Jackson Hole, and The Hamptons, with solo museum exhibitions at Indiana University East and Richmond Art Museum. Slonim is also an award-winning children's author/illustrator, recognized for excellence by the NY times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon Editors, and NY Society of Illustrators. He and his wife Bonnie have four adult children and four grandchildren.
Solo Exhibitions
2025
Bonner David Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ, Constellation
2024
Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN, My Only World
Bonner David Galleries, New York, NY, Defying Gravity
2023
Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Particle Theory
2022
Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY, Transfigurations in Color: Unexpected Gifts
Altamira Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ, Night Watchman
Quogue Gallery, The Hamptons, NY Color Song
2021
Altamira Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ, Color Dream
2019
Altamira Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ, Holding Up the Sun
Altamira Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ, Fragment of Song
2018
Altamira Fine Art, Jackson, WY, Wavelength
Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, Conrad Indianapolis
Christ Community Church, Carmel, IN, Love in a Small town
Clark Gallery, Historic Bear’s Mill, Greenville, OH
2017
Indiana University East, Richmond, IN, Color Moves
Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, Conrad Indianapolis
2016
Altamira Gallery, Jackson, WY, New Works
2015
Clark Gallery, Honeywell Center, Wabash, IN, Field of Vision
Arts Place, Portland, IN, Color Speaks
2014
Altamira Fine Art, Jackson, WY, Improvisations
2011
Charley Creek Inn, Wabash, IN, New Paintings
2010
Private Show, Indianapolis, IN, Home Again
2008
Gordy Fine Art, Muncie, IN, New Work
2007
Private Show, Muncie, IN, Christmas Selection
2006
Meyers Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ , New Paintings
2005
Richmond Museum of Art, Richmond, IN, David Michael Slonim
Masterpiece Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, Coming Home
2004
Hoosier Salon Gallery, New Harmony, IN, Plein Air
2003
Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie, IN, Nostalgia & Narrative
2002
Anderson Museum of Art, Anderson, IN, Home Again
Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie, IN Selected Works
2001
Overland Gallery, Scottsdale AZ Coming Home
Group Exhibitions & Art Fairs
2023
The Butler Institute of American Art, 87th National Midyear Exhibition
Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, Dynamic Impressions
2022
Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Southampton, Quogue Gallery
Newbury Fine Arts, Boston
2019
Market Art & Design, Bridgehampton, NY, Quogue Gallery
2017
Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, FL, Long-Sharp Gallery
Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, Contemplate
Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, Forms | Shape
Altamira Fine Art, Jackson, WY, Winter Small Works Show
2016
Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, Group Show: Depth and Vision
Altamira Fine Art, Jackson, WY, Holiday Group Show
Anderson Center for the Arts, IN, Beyond Description
2015
Altamira Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ, Rhythms in Nature
2014
Simpson Gallagher Gallery, Cody, WY, 20th Anniversary Exhibition
Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver, CO
2013
Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver, CO
2012
Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver, CO
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Four Person Show
2011
Simpson Gallagher Gallery, Cody, WY, Yellowstone in Winter
2010
Simpson Gallagher Gallery, Cody, WY, Thumbnail to Finish
CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, The Russell
2009
The Pastel Show at Richmond Museum of Art, Richmond, IN
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, C.M. Russell Auction
Simpson Gallagher Gallery at the Potomac Hunt Club
2008
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, C.M. Russell Auction
Masters in Miniature, CM Russell Museum
Simpson Gallagher Gallery, Cody WY, “Spring Thaw”
Richmond Art Museum Pastel Show, Richmond, IN
2007
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, C.M. Russell Auction
Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, MT Guest Artist
CM Russell Museum, Masters in Miniatures
Richmond Art Museum Annual Exhibition, Richmond, IN
2006
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, C.M. Russell Auction
Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, MT Guest Artists
2005
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT, C.M. Russell Auction
Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, MT Guest Artist
Great American Artists, Cincinnati, OH
2004
Western Rendezvous of Art, Helena, MT Guest Artist
Great American Artists, Cincinnati, OH
2003
Great American Artists, Cincinnati, OH
2002
Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ, Rising Stars
Great American Artists, Cincinnati, OH
Selected Collections
Conrad Hotel Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, IN
The Haan Museum, Lafayette, IN
Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN
Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie, IN
The West Foundation, Indianapolis, IN
Anderson University, Anderson, IN
Bingham, McHale & Associates, Indianapolis, IN
Community Bank Shares, Denver, CO
Toledo Public Library, Toledo, OH
Charley Creek Foundation, Wabash, IN
The Mazza Museum, University of Findlay, OH
Representation
NEW YORK | Bonner David Galleries
SCOTTSDALE | Bonner David Galleries
DENVER | Rose Fredrick Project Space / Gallery 1261
Bibliography
Fallon, Skye, "Unlocking Discoveries," International Artist, Aug/Sept 2022
Clawson, Michael, “Rhythms in Nature,” American Art Collector, December 2015
Holland, Mackenzie, “Artist Crafts Poetry,” Wabash Plain Dealer, June 21, 2015
Faulkner, John, “Slonim Finds the Abstract in Everyday Life,” Ink Free News, June 26, 2015
Miley, Scott, “Field of Vision Exhibit at Clark Gallery,” Herald Bulletin, June 16, 2015
Towne, Michelle, “Forms of Abstraction,” American Art Collector, January-February 2015
Towne, Michelle, “David Michael Slonim: Improvisations,” American Art Collector, August 2014
Meyer, Emma, “Anderson Inspiration,” Herald Bulletin, March 9, 2014
Corriel, Michele, “Illuminations,” Western Art & Architecture, July 2013
Schuerr, Aaron, “Plein Air Yellowstone,” Big Sky Journal, August 2010
Hoerth, Kristin, “Artists to Watch,” SouthwestArt, January 2009
Beaty, Sherri, “What an Experience,” Columns, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Spring 2008
Berry, Skip, “Artist Finds Joy in Indiana,” Indianapolis Star, October 2005
Shouse, Cathy, "Export Business," Indianapolis Monthly, 2004
Professional Activities
David regularly speaks to university, school and professional groups. davidslonimpresents.com
He is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator recognized by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly. davidslonim.com
Education
1988 Rhode Island School of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Personal
David and his wife Bonnie have four adult children and four grandchildren.