David Swartwout was always an excellent artist. He began carving, drawing and painting as a young boy. Later he had the rare opportunity of studying with the accomplished Swedish wood carver Carl Hullstammer. He also studied with Bernard Frazier, sculptor, teacher and at the same time, director of the Philbrook Art Museum of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Alexander Hogue, outstanding painter of the Dust Bowl Era, was also one of his instructors in oil painting and design. Dave received his BA Degree from the University of Tulsa in 1947. In the intervening years he studied at the Institute of Design and at the American Academy of Art.

After graduation he moved to Chicago and became an illustrator with a mechanical magazine. Several years later, he opened a graphic art and design studio of his own. The studio eventually became Ideas + Design, Inc. Dave remained president and an active artist/designer until his death.

Although the studio absorbed most of his working days, he spent nights and weekends carving and painting numerous works of art, mainly for private collectors.

His work has been exhibited in public showings in Baltimore, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Oklahoma as well as in the Chicago area winning numerous awards.

Some of the exhibitions include:

Tulsa University, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Midwest Watercolor Society
Neville Public Museum
Illinois Watercolor Society
Palette & Chisel Club, Chicago
Illinois State Fair Professional Art Exhibit
American Artists Professional League, New York

His work was represented by galleries in Colorado and Illinois.