David Lewis studied at West Sussex College of Art and Wimbledon School of Art where he gained an Honours Diploma and a Royal Society of Arts Bursary for Theatre Design in 1968. He designed for the theatre and for many years taught design at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He left to become a full-time painter and has travelled widely through Europe and the Middle East including Iran Afghanistan Pakistan and India.
His first one-man show was held at the Oliver Swann Galleries in February 1986. It was such a success that another exhibition of his work was held there in November of the same year and was a complete sell-out.
In 1987 he spent some time at Coriander Studio with master printer Brad Faine learning the techniques and possibilities of screenprinting before producing his first two prints, both highly accomplished pieces that have succeeded in retaining the same vigour, brightness and straightforward cheerfulness of his paintings. Lewis's use of colour is reminiscent of Matisse to whom he readily acknowledges a debt. David Lewis's work is represented in private collections throughout the world.