Every painting for Hettinger is a present experience in which he is reliving the past. His still-life's hold personal memories for him such as painting his Mother's geraniums, wintered over, and placed on a windowsill bathed in light. His figurative art pieces are not just portraits or 'paintings of people' but of relationships and moments in time. His plein-air landscapes are beautiful open air paintings of the Fox Valley rural life, fields and vistas. A well recognized Master Oil Painter, David has received numerous gold medals and awards for his works, spanning the last five decades.