David Charles was born in 1979 in Northwest Baltimore, in the Park Heights community. He began creating art at an early age, winning his first citywide art contest in the fourth grade—an achievement that gave him the confidence to seriously pursue his creative path.

During middle school, David transitioned from drawing comic book characters to illustrating real-life figures. He began developing his own original characters and creating artwork that reflected the realities of inner-city life in Baltimore. By the age of 13, his peers had anointed him with the nickname “The Illest Illustrator,” a title that recognized both his skill and his growing reputation.

Before graduating middle school, David applied to the Baltimore School for the Arts but was denied admission. Undeterred, he was accepted into Carver Vocational-Technical High School, where he studied in the Commercial Arts program and continued refining his craft.

David creates art with the sole intention of stimulating thought. His work represents culture, lived experience, and community, and has often been described as “hip-hop on canvas.” Through his art, David seeks not only to educate, but to inspire—using visual storytelling as a tool for reflection, dialogue, and empowerment.

David Charles stands as proof that some of the most brilliant voices can emerge from the most challenging circumstances.