David Mackenzie, is an Edinburgh born self-taught artist specialising in wildlife who currently lives in Kirkmichael, Perthshire.
His early life was spent in North America where his parents travelled extensively. It was during this time that he gained his deep love for the natural environment. Wildlife of all varieties were common in his home, and he even had a tame wolf for a pet.
He previously worked professionally in conservation as a Deputy Head Keeper at Edinburgh Zoo for 10 years with big cats, bears and birds. He found this experience helpful with his painting as it gives him an emotional connection to the story he is trying to tell. Gaining this intimate relationship with animals at a very close level over the years has helped give him an eye for detail which enables him to bring his art to life rather than just replicate it.
The natural world and the wildlife that inhabit it and the state of this world is the drive that carries him forward through each painting. In his art he tries to imagine the story behind the scenes to create an emotion and to give a connection to the viewer.
He always works in acrylics on canvas as he finds them particularly responsive to the way that he works. He uses them almost like watercolours, building up layer upon layer and adding glazes to gain the right tone.
He has had two local solo exhibitions, and he takes part in an annual local charity art exhibition in Blairgowrie, where they fundraise for the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance, and where he usually donates a painting with all proceeds going to the SCAA. In 2025, David has also donated a painting of a capercaillie to the Overgate Hospice in Elland, West Yorkshire, where he also has ties, which is to be auctioned to raise funds for an extension to the Hospice later in 2025.
He has been successful in various art competitions, coming joint first place in an international art competition in 2020 and in 2021 he received a Highly Commended award during an exhibition for the Association of Animal Artists.
At present his work can also be seen at:
Number 4 Gallery at St Abbs, near Coldingham
The Perthshire Gallery, Pitlochry
