David Beer was born in Whistable. He moved to Cornwall in 1986, where he still lives. He trained as a teacher in Chichester where he studied pottery as his main subject. Whilst teaching in Cornwall he had special responsiblilty for art in the school and he also ran in-service art courses for teachers in the area. He was also co-ordinator of the education working party for the St Ives Tate Action Group before the Tate opened. David specialises in painting landscapes in oils using a palette knife. He has exhibited in mixed exhibitions all over the UK including the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol.