David Halbach has wanted to be an artist for as long as he can remember. At first, it was for recognition from his parents, then later in junior high school he discovered he had a real talent. He completed his first paintings when he was in sixth grade, and after that he just kept on painting. Since his grades were not good enough to become the doctor or lawyer his mother had hoped he would become, he attended the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. When he finished art school, and a tour in the Navy, he went to work as an animator for Disney studios working on "Lady and the Tramp," then entered into commercial art and advertising, and eventually became an art teacher where he was able to create fine art and refresh his knowledge of the basics. Eventually his wife, Jean and David moved to Arizona and began selling his paintings in more prestigious galleries which has led to his success as a watercolorist.

David researches subjects for his works extensively. He says, "There is a lot of truth in 'Paint what you know.'" Living in Arizona was conducive to creating Western scenes which he had loved since he was a child, and he began to carefully investigate the history of the West, horse flesh, and all that was needed to make his work honest and correct. That investigation brought back the many times he had played cowboys and Indians when he was young. According to Halbach, "A child's imagination is an important asset to an artist. It mustn't be lost." Halbach has a special affection for the Hopi Indians, their pueblos and their culture, and that affection plays an important part in his art. He encourages the viewer to use their imagination, always allowing for a little mystery in each image.

In September 2006, David Halbach will be one of the final 100 artists participating in the Arts for the Park show in Jackson, Wyoming. His watercolor "Light Meal at Moulton's Barn" depicts an old, historic barn, the Rocky Mountains and elk grazing in the foreground. The ARTS FOR THE PARKS competition was created in 1986 by the National Park Academy of the Arts. The program is designed to celebrate representational artists, to enhance public awareness of the National Parks and to contribute to programs benefiting the National Park System. It is an annual competition that honors artists who have best captured the spirit of our National Park System.