He received his BFA in Studio Art from Truman State University. He worked as a graphic designer for a sign company from 1995 through 2010. In 2011, he and wife, Dr. Sally Carter opened “dave’s studio–Visual Art Service” in Kirksville. When Sally accepted a position at Southeast Missouri State University in 2014, the couple moved to Cape Girardeau. Dave became interested in Missouri mills when he visited Bollinger Mill State Park.