After about 20 years of being an artist in his spare time, David Sweet, an electrician for building maintenance at Iowa State, will have his first piece of art in a show at The Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames.

The “Community of Artists Exhibition” will feature 55 of a submitted 110 different works from artists in the Ames area. The artists used a variety of media to express themselves.

“My wife really encouraged me to enter the show,” Sweet said. He said she is the major force behind his artwork. “She’s the one that gets the paintings on the walls and out to the relatives,” he said.

Sweet submitted three pieces, one of which was chosen for the show. His piece, “Atomic Falls,” is oil on aluminum and is one of several oil paintings he has done.

“It is a relaxation thing, when I actually get time to do it,” he said.

Though this is his first show, Sweet has sold some pieces and given many away.

Being self-taught, Sweet said he has mainly done oil and some glass etchings, where he paints landscapes. “I get a blank canvas and load up my palette with colors. I never know what it will be until it is done,” he said.

Sweet said he uses the wet-on-wet technique and the Bob Ross technique in his oil paintings. He likes to watch the Bob Ross painting show and get ideas from it. “This is really something I enjoy doing,” he said.

Sweet said he has never taken any art classes until recently. “I started taking an air brush class at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) and really enjoy it,” he said. “I have been airbrushing for a couple months now and have plans to use it in photo realism.”

He currently uses magazines and pictures for his airbrushing, where he focuses on people for his subjects. He said he next plans to use Biblical pieces for his airbrush subjects.

“Now’s the time in my life to get serious,” Sweet said. “I have always been talented, but never utilized it much.” He said he plans to enter more pieces in next year’s show.

The “Community of Artists Exhibition” starts Nov. 24 and runs through Jan. 5 at The Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames. There will be an awards presentation to the top three pieces and six honorable mentions from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 24.

The show can also be viewed at normal Octagon hours which are Mondays 1-8 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m. There is no charge to see the exhibit but donations will be accepted.