David M. Layman, a South Bend native, and current Mishawaka resident is currently working on commissioned portraits, outdoor monumental sculptures, and intimate personal works. Beginning in 1977, his style established itself quickly and has been collected by individuals, corporations, museums, and religious institutions throughout the years. David's work has grown and expanded, both locally and overseas, as well as his vision for creating pieces of work that both challenge and share space with its viewers. 

David has spent over forty years as a sculptor while also living a balanced life as a husband, father, and grandfather. All of his works are sympathetic to social injustices and oppression throughout the world. His works show a keen insight into this human experience. He does not avoid this, but rather embraces it to further his artistry. His religious works are a direct and natural extension of own life. Inspiration is derived from both historical figures and contemporary subjects. These components contribute to the core that excites and challenges him when developing his imagery. 

In all of his works, David seeks to find a simple truth within the parameters desired by his clients to establish a unique sculpture that tells a story about a specific character and/or event. He considers himself an interpreter of the human experience and utilizes this dynamic to further his work as an artist. 

David has a distinctive ability to work alongside his clients in a relaxed and collaborative manner. The client is involved throughout the entirety of the artistic process from design, to clay approval, to the finished chasing of metal, to the final patina. The relationship established between artist and client throughout the process is interactive and nurturing. Furthermore and when possible, David enjoys meeting the individual that is being honored through his work. Insight, ideas, and observations provided by his clients fuel his artistic fire. This enables David to better understand the vision that he considers essential when creating a piece of work. He utilizes the stories, clothing, and other related features to make a sculpture one-of-a-kind. There is attention to every singular detail to ensure the utmost depiction. 

David's sculptures continue to find their own journey regionally and around the globe, In 2106, he was honored by being inducted into the permanent collection of the Midwest Museum of American Art in EIkhart, Indiana. His bronze portrait of Masako Ebbison Hyashi, created in 1985, is now rooted in this important collection of American history. This sits amongst 1,600 other works created by some of the best artists and sculptors in America. More recently, he has been invited to work as a designer, consultant, and sculptor for the creation of Peace Retreat Center in Uganda, Afriça. His Mater Misercordia, Mother of the Miserable Heart was also utilized as a focal point and now resides at a Peace Retreat in the Holy Land.

David considers every opportunity to create a sculpture a great privilege and honor. To him, a sculpture well-done is more than an alloy of tin, lead, and brass. It is a feeling, a gathering point, and a symbol for much more than meets the eye. A bronze sculpture can represent over time who a people are collectively.