Greatest Person: David Stonesifer 'For The Love of The Arts'

Editor's Note: You might have seen The Greatest Person of the Day on the Huffington Post. Today, we share with you our version of this wonderful feature spotlighting ordinary and extraordinary residents whose acts of courage, determination, volunteerism and compassion have made a difference in Los Gatos and who inspire and energize others to strengthen their communities and improve lives. 

Think ordinary people doing extraordinary things for friends, families, groups and others. We'll look for them everywhere, in faith communities, in nonprofit groups, schools, senior centers, firehouses and elsewhere. We'll also consider public figures. There are no age restrictions. We want diversity of age, race, gender, etc., and most important, we ask you, our valued reader, to help us find these outstanding citizens by nominating them.

Longtime Los Gatos resident David Stonesifer is one talented man.

Locals may know this 60-something artist from his previous ownership of the home furnishings company Los Gatos Porch, which he sold nine years ago.

Stonesifer’s personality matches his art.

Well dressed in his casual corduroy sports jacket and wearing funky blue frames, he's an extremely like-able, friendly and engaging person.

Living in Los Gatos for more than 40 years, he is a member of the nonprofit Los Gatos Art Association and serves on the town's Arts and Culture Commission.

Stonesifer attended San Jose State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in art.

Since then he has been fulfilling his adoration for the craft. He wonderfully paints gorgeous oil landscapes and bold still-life compositions.

Plein Air in French means “in the open air,” or “outdoors.” That is just what he does.

Stonesifer paints exactly what he artistically sees—not from a picture, but right from the beautiful outdoors.

He impressively transfers the landscapes onto the white canvas with surge of intense color.

In previous years, he has taken lessons from a private instructor in Palo Alto.

He's a member of the Pacific Art League. He has studied under Brigitte Curt and Jim Smyth, Ovannes Berberian, Randell Sexton, Joanna Arnet, Fra Bruno Segatta, Michael Lindstrom, Michael Kirschel and Camille Prezedwodeck.

Proudly, it is his fourth year of association with the where his work has been showcased.

The stunning, vivid paintings were juried in Santa Clara's Triton Museum of Art statewide show last fall. Stonesifer is also scheduled to appear in the Triton Museum's upcoming summer exhibit.

Amazingly, Stonesifer turns a blank canvas into a whirlwind of color. Each of his paintings is full of life drawing in the observer to the beautiful creation.

Each of his brush strokes conveys the landscape's beauty.

Not only does Stonesifer apply his artistic abilities to painting, he also practices interior design, assisting his clientele in décor.

Stonesifer's interior design style is traditional, comfortable and, of course, colorful.

His exquisite paintings are beautifully displayed in the Los Gatos Museums Art Gallery, 24 No. Santa Cruz Ave., right across from the store in the heart of town.

The commercial gallery of fine art operated for about 25 years before its keeper went out of business. Stonesifer and his partner, , underwrite the rent for the museums to host the gallery under their umbrella.

"We believe in the arts in the community," says Stonesifer. "We want to encourage them and it's been quite successful. It's been a win-win for artists locally and a win-win for the museum and for the town of Los Gatos. We do this for the love of the arts."

Since the town lacks a fine arts gallery, Stonesifer takes pleasure in helping Los Gatos still have one.

"The arts is a passion that both Larry and I have," he adds. "It's an artistic town, it always has been and we want to make sure it doesn't falter."

The gallery's hours are 10 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday.