David's one ambition on leaving school was to become a game warden but he failed to fulfil his dream. On returning from Kenya, a chance meeting with professional artist, Robin Goodwin, gave him the chance he needed. Robin agreed to teach him, encouraging David to pursue his first loves, steam railways and aviation. The latter led him to the Royal Air Force who began commissioning him. It was for the RAF that he travelled to Aden in 1960, and this changed his life. It seemed that almost everyone wanted a painting but, more important still, the RAF flew him on down to Kenya where he was asked to paint his very first wildlife painting - of a rhino. It was on that same visit that he became a conservationist overnight when he found 255 zebra lying dead around a poisoned waterhole.

Back home, David had the first of many one-man shows, selling out in the first twenty minutes. There is always a great demand for his originals, but he still manages to donate paintings to wildlife, latterly through his Foundation, to pay back what in his own words is "my enormous debt of gratitude to the animals I paint".

David has won many awards as an artist and conservationist, has been the subject of Radio and TV programmes, has published five books and over 200 limited edition prints, ranging from aviation, steam engines, landscapes, portraits, Victorian scenes and of course wildlife.

David lives in Sussex with his wife, Avril, and has four daughters, who all share his passion for wildlife.

David participated in DSWF's first ever 'Art for Survival Three Generations Exhibition' in October 2006 with his daughter Mandy and his eldest grand-daughter Emily.