About the Artist

Dave Kennedy has been described by those that know him well as a true "Modern American Renaissance Man”.  

A 4th generation Colorado native son, Dave was born in Greeley into a family of ranchers, farmers, prairie preachers and teachers.  He has been around western ranches and the southwest art culture all his life.  As an artist, his curated niche has become “dynamic skies and broad horizons of the New American West”..   Dave’s work has been exhibited at Western Fine Art shows in Cheyenne, Greeley, Salinas CA, and Albuquerque.

Dave worked professionally as a commissioned muralist in New Mexico, the Vail Valley and Metro Denver.  His mixed media work has been featured in several publications including the Good Housekeeping Magazine (cover feature - 1st Place North America), the Albuquerque Journal (cover - Lifestyle feature) and the NM Lifestyle Magazine (Cover). At age of 14, Dave’s first statewide art competition award (1st Place) was presented to him in person by then California Governor Ronald Regan.

The American West has been Dave’s home all his life. He has lived and worked in Western Rodeo/Stock Show towns including Greeley CO, Monterey/Salinas CA, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and Denver.  As an Architect and Resort Hotel Executive Dave’s “cowboy” had been suppressed for years.  A decade ago, Dave did not have to dig too deep to revive his western artist/cowboy.  His joy, passion and energized work ethic is reflected in his paintings.  Following two consecutive years of success, Dave’s 2025 collection has debuted in galleries in Denver, Boulder and Louisville.  This new body of work can be seen this summer at 2025 weekend fine art festivals in Denver, Golden, Boulder, Crested Butte, Evergreen, Greenwood Village and Vail.

The New Mexico Holiday Show recognized Dave's mixed media work as "Best in Show" for three consecutive years.  A collaborative piece was featured on Aspen Magazine's holiday issue cover. Dave was awarded “Best Painter - First Place” 2022 and “Best Painter - Second Place” 2021 at the Golden Fine Arts Festival. In 2023 Dave was recognized by his peers in Boulder’s Open Studios Members’ Show with 1st Place.  Chautauqua’s Art in the Park juried event identified Dave’s piece as “Best of Show”.  Recently, Dave was awarded “BEST OF COLORADO 2025” at the Artsweek Golden Festval. 

Dave remains inspired by our beautiful state and local community.  He is a member of the Boulder County Arts Alliance, the Boulder Arts Association and Boulder’s OPEN STUDIOS.  He is an artist member and owner/manager of Wilderness Art Studios and Gallery in Boulder, Colorado.

Dave’s Wilderness Art Studios and Gallery is located at 2810 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO behind what use to be the Boulder Beer Company brewery. Dave's studio features a fabulous view of our beloved Flatirons.