New Zealander Dave Sotogi is driven by a desire to seek, achieve and share perfection everywhere — including in his roles as husband, father, artist and volunteer church leader.
On Sundays and in his spare time Mr Sotogi leads a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Auckland’s north-west. When he’s not spending time with his family or at church, he works as an artist.
His artwork, he says, is “inspired by God’s creations and the unique beauty inherent in all things.”
“The beautiful scenery that we have in this country was part of the Creator’s plan,” Mr Sotogi says. “I love what we have in this country. We have flowers and fauna and native birds and trees that are only found here and a lot of times we take that for granted.”
Dave Sotogi is known as Bishop Sotogi to his Latter-day Saint ward (congregation).
Debbi Beckstead, a member of his congregation, says, “He is a man of great faith and what he sees in the world is what he paints — but he paints it as he would see it in perfection. He paints trees in full bloom. He paints Heavenly Father’s creations in perfection. You don’t see weeds, you only see beauty in his paintings. That’s what he sees in the people he paints.”
“Bishop Sotogi not only inspires people through his artwork, he inspires them by the way he lives his life. He sees beauty and that’s how he sees people and that’s how he treats people. He sees them as Heavenly Father sees them.”
Even though Mr. Sotogi’s art inspires and is appreciated by people around the world, he is still quick to acknowledge the source of his special gift.
“First and foremost I believe what I have is a God-given talent,” he says. “I show my gratitude to Heavenly Father for that talent by always trying to improve and become better and better and always do the absolute best that I can do. Every time I’ve finished a painting and I think I’m pretty chuffed with myself, all I have to do is look at a flower or tree and I have to remind myself that I’m not there yet.”
He believes being grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ has helped him define himself as an artist. “My faith won’t lead me down a path that is inappropriate,” he says.
Sotogi began his career as a graphic artist but changed his focus from graphic art to fine art when a family member encouraged him to try oil painting. It wasn’t long after his first attempt that he sold his first painting — he’s been painting ever since.