How artist David Faulkner uses storytelling to guide his artistic process —creating open-ended works that invite viewers to project their own stories and meanings into his work.

Most rooms begin with practical decisions — the sofa that fits, the table that works, the lighting that doesn’t compete with everyday life. But when people talk about a room they love, they rarely mention the furniture first. They talk about what the room feels like.

How artist David Faulkner uses storytelling to guide his artistic process —creating open-ended works that invite viewers to project their own stories and meanings into his work.

Art, for me, is less about rendering a preconceived idea and more about embarking on a journey of discovery. My process typically begins with a spark—a detail that catches my eye, a sketch on my iPad or a fleeting moment I capture with my phone camera.

As 2023 came to a close, I found myself searching for a new direction. Having spent decades leading retail design teams for large corporations, I realized I didn’t want to return to the world of endless meetings, travel, and emails that required me to delegate the creative work I love to others.