Dave Stein is an artist with an unusual story. Born in 1968 and growing up in the 70's and 80's, Dave went through many experiences that shaped his unique creative sense. Family mental illness, reform school, drug abuse, and other difficult circumstances were interwoven with several highly creative and loving influences. He began painting and designing in his teens; including taking classes at Berkshire Community College in Western Massachusetts in Graphic Design at age 17. By age 20 he was a full time Fine & Applied Arts student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, enjoying acclaim and independent study privileges with his unique and prolific expressionistic work. Unfortunately drugs and alcohol sidelined Dave's education and nearly destroyed his life. In 1993 Dave became a born-again Christian and dedicated his life to Christian service through missionary work, community outreach, and using his creative gifts to serve his church community- graphic design, music ministry, and other arenas. For many reasons however, some unknown even to himself, Dave did not paint or draw for over 20 years. Then in 2012 he felt a strong urge and readiness to paint again. The first painting took only a couple of hours and was to him like a floodgate that had been opened. He is now committed to painting until the inspiration ceases, and feels this may not be for a very, very long time. His paintings reflect a lifetime of serious reflection, pain and joy, and finally, peace. They do have spiritual components but are not intended to convey only spiritual meaning. He does hope they reflect his awe and thankfulness to the One who designed all and has granted him a new opportunity to share the gifts that was for so long kept hidden.