A Colorado native, David M. Gerton spent his youth fishing the rivers and lakes of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana with his family—experiences that fostered a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors. His art reflects this connection, celebrating the wild beauty of animals, landscapes, and the spirit of freedom that has always inspired him. Before pursuing art full-time, David built a successful career in the commercial and industrial lighting industry as a Certified Lighting Designer and member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Today, his artistic focus is on creating one-of-a-kind copper “paintings” that combine precision craftsmanship with emotional depth. Each piece begins as a thin copper sheet, hand-scribed and shaped with small hammers and embossing tools to form a three-dimensional image. Layers of patinas, paints, torch-applied color, and transparent alcohol inks bring subtle tones to life, sealed under a glass-like epoxy finish. Every artwork is signed twice—once visibly and once hidden—and marked with a wax emblem of an American Eagle. A hidden heart, a signature touch, invites viewers to look closer. Gerton’s work is collected across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, and he has received numerous awards at juried shows and festivals, including Best in Show and People’s Choice honors. From his Copper Works Art studio overlooking the Columbia River in southwest Washington, he continues to craft pieces that honor both nature’s majesty and the American spirit.