David Tarbert

David Tarbert is a man of many pursuits. While his background in art is not extensive, his passion for watercolors, beginning in the early 2000s, has added balance to his life. Originally from Ohio, David has lived in St. Augustine for more than forty four years. His time here has been spent serving the community as both a veteran law enforcement officer and an educator at St. Johns River State College. “I began taking watercolor classes over twenty five years ago,” says David. “I fell in love with it. However, familial and work priorities took over and I stepped away for many years.” In 2019, David was finally able to pick his brush back up and hone his creative skills. David’s inspiration comes mainly from the world around him. “I like to paint many of the places I’ve visited such as London, Edinburgh, Florence, and the South of France,” he explains. “I also like to focus on historical architecture, tropical flora, and palm trees. They lend themselves to working with light and dark, adding colors, and having fun.” With a primary focus on watercolors, David has experimented with other mediums including acrylics, pottery, glassblowing, and even fountain pen sketching. His creative dedication even resulted in his building of a home studio in 2020 and the foundation of his brand, ‘Tarbert Creations.’ A member of both the St. Augustine Art Association and Urban Sketchers Jacksonville, David was introduced to High Tide Gallery in 2023 during an art show. In conclusion, he affirms, “Each artistic endeavor is a chance for me to learn and grow.”