David grew up in rural Middle Tennessee and received a BA in music from Duke University in 1967.  He served in the Peace Corps in Colombia for two years.
 
David attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina and Cornell University in music composition. His music has been performed throughout the East including a commercially recorded performance of his "Reflections on a Park Bench" in Carnegie Hall in 1974.   

David began painting in watercolor at the age of 50.  He has taken workshops with Arnie Westerman and Frank Webb.  His works have been included in local exhibits, regional exhibits in Rochester, NY, and Allentown, PA, and a National exhibit in Memphis, TN.

David now owns and operates The Picture House, a frame shop/gallery/studio located in Cortland, NY,  where he paints and teaches in addition to framing.