About Me

Greetings. My name is David L. Strickland, Jr., and ArtbyDLS.com is my artwork portfolio. I sign my paintings with the initials DLS and usually a date. I’m known to my students as Professor Dave. Some of my friends like to call me the Dude, an omage to the inspiring role of Jeff Bridges in “The Big Lebowski” because I admire the Dude’s creed to take it easy; the Dude abides. More precisely, I strive to live life to the fullest by being fully present in the present moment, rather than dwelling on past regrets or imagined future fears. I am an artist, a professor, a woodworker, a kayak enthusiast, a chess player, and a traveler.

ARTIST: Making art, woodworking, and kayaking are zen-like experiences for me. I am compelled to make art, and I have created this portfolio to share it with you. I hope that you enjoy my art. One theme that you will see in much of my art is the disposition of the turtle. I am inspired by the turtle as my spirit animal, and many of my paintings are intended to promote the positive symbolism and life lessons that have been attributed to turtles. Among other things, turtles are omens of longevity and luck. They have been seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, patience, endurance, tranquility, and long life. All of these gifts I wish for you.

PROFESSOR: I am a retired Professor of Sociology (full professor) and continue to teach part-time online. Sociology is a wonderful discipline to help students think critically, experience life more fully, and become better in whatever career they pursue. I also hold an advanced degree in First-Year Studies, which is basically the study of college student success. I took up that discipline out of a passion to help my students get the most out of their college experience. Toward this end, I authored the book “College Success: A Concise Practical Guide,” which was used as a textbook for first-year college student seminars and student success programs in over 100 colleges and universities.

I hope that both my teaching and my art help you to more clearly see and appreciate the world and yourself. I believe that we are in a sacred exchange with all of nature and with each other on our journey. So I recommend that, like the turtle, we resist the rat race and embrace the beauty of our existence together.
To borrow from the late Alan Watts,
“If you could see yourself through the eyes of the Divine,
you would weep at your own beauty.”
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