David was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colorado. He went on to attend Colorado State University. Since he’d been a long-time professional musician and actor, it only seemed natural to try his hand at painting too. So, in 1996 he started oil painting, exploring and selling work covering an assortment of subject matter. But when he did his first plein air landscape in 1999, he was hooked! He credits his development as a painter to the valuable time he’s spent with Michael Lynch and also as a volunteer at several workshops given by the Plein Air Painters of America. John David Phillips and George Strickland also get extra special consideration!
In 2001, David’s work was accepted into the Top 100 of the prestigious Arts for the Parks competition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was featured in the February 2004 Southwest Art Magazine’s “Artists to Watch” column and also in their February 2009 and February 2013 Landscape issues. And, in 2006, David was made an artist member of The Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters and has received multiple plein air painting, gallery and salon show awards. As a member of the Oil Painters of America since 2017 his work has been juried into their 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Western Regional Shows, their virtual 2020 Salon Show, the 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025 National Shows and the 2023 Masters Show! He is honored to have been made a Signature Member of the organization in 2023! Having joined the American Impressionist Society in 2025, he’s very grateful to have been juried into their 2025 National Show. Also in 2024 David was juried into the Mountain Oyster Club Exhibition and Sale. David has immeasurable gratitude and love for his collectors, gallery owners/clients and fellow artists and says “ I simply love to paint and I’m devoted to improving with each piece. Chasing down the great artists, past and present is a true passion. It never ends and I love it!” David’s paintings can be seen in fine art galleries and viewed online at www.davidharms.com.