Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I started drawing at about age eight. Mom encouraged me to start painting and drawing at that time, and she offered a lot of help, being a creative person herself. Dad is an architect, so his attention to small details and perspective was also very helpful. By the time I reached high school, I was fairly skilled at painting and illustrating. In high school I was involved with the school newspaper and yearbook, which gave me enough experience to work as a paste up artist after graduation (this was in 1985, so right before layout began to be composed on a computer). The following year I enrolled at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma and majored in Commercial Art, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1991. In addition, I studied desktop publishing at Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. I have worked professionally in graphic design and advertising since 1992.

David Bahm standing

When I recount all the blessings in my life I am quite thankful... a wonderful marriage, great friends and family, and a fun career. A mid-50s Christian, artist, husband, step-dad, father-in-law and grandfather who happened to be born with Cerebral Palsy. My back, legs and arms have stiffened significantly as I've aged, and pain has increased in my legs and back, but I strive on. Somehow there is a purpose for me being disabled, and God gives me strength to endure whatever comes my way.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is Jennifer. We met on the internet in late 1997 and were married four months later. I relocated from Albuquerque to Denver and lived in Colorado for 19 years. In 2017 we moved to the Tampa, Florida area to escape the snow and cold, and to be near family. Our marriage has been colored with successes, failures, and challenges to finances and health, but we strive to put each other - and God - first. The love, friendship and passion we share gets better every year, and we make a great team!

Living with a disability in the United States is likely easier than in any other country, and hopefully the public attitude towards persons like myself is improving. I offer my art here in hopes of changing that perception even more, and perhaps being a source of encouragement to other disabled persons.