Born in Dallas, Texas, David Bates became a noted realistic figure and narrative painter at a time when Abstract Expressionism was all-prevailing. However, he has been influenced by modernism including the painting of Vincent Van Gogh, German Expressionism and American Expressionist, Marsden Hartley. He later added abstract sculpture to his pursuits, working in painted wood and painted bronze. Many of his paintings are large scale, a size with which he is comfortable because he is six-feet three inches tall.

Of his work, it was written: "A natural storyteller influenced by his Texas upbringing and affection for family and longtime friends, Bates uses dark outlines, simplified forms, and heavy impastos i...