David Sterling majored in Studio Art at Oberlin College, from which he graduated in 1972. He studied under Ellen Johnson, Paul Arnold, Royce Dendler, and Forbes Whiteside.

His work is principally abstract and is informed by a number of currents of “modern art,” including minimalism, conceptual art, pop art, and the pattern and decorative movement. His work has also been influenced by his studies of Asian art and culture, particularly Buddhism, as well as his study of the Chinese language.

From an early age, Sterling was very interested in the physical sciences, particularly organic chemistry. In his early teenage years he became a licensed radio operator having passed an FCC examination in radio theory and the sending and receiving of Morse code. At his high school graduation, he received awards for Best Student in Science as well as Best Student in Art. In the summer of 1968, Sterling was enrolled in the Summer  Organic Chemistry Institute held at the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. In his early college years he worked in an industrial laboratory as a bench chemist, synthesizing new organic compounds.

Sterling's interest in Science, particularly in Organic Chemistry and molecules, has had a considerable and continuing influence on his work. Sterling attributes his interest in science and mathematics with having a significant influence on his visual vocabulary. Many of his works have grid-like organizational formats, geometrical forms, and alternating bands of color. Some of his works employ black and white sequences. Sterling considers what he calls the “inherently binary” nature of the physical world to be formally and symbolically influential in his work.

In the 1980s and 90s, Sterling traveled extensively in several remote parts of the world, particularly the Himalayan region. Mountains have had a strong effect on him, and the relationship between mountains and a variety of architectural traditions informs his work, which includes pyramids, ziggurats, stupas, and other geometric forms. Geometric forms in the Platonic sense are of interest to him.

Sterling’s long-standing interest in the Chinese language and several series of his work include Chinese characters, which are presented as elegant forms, the enjoyment of which can be seen as independent of their semantic content.

Earlier reference was made to molecules. Some of Sterling’s works can be seen as “molecules” in the sense of unique structure. Several of his works are “molecule” -like in that they are abstract depictions of pure forms. Square forms are a particularly expressive format that Sterling incorporates regularly.

In 1992, Sterling participated in The Conference on World Affairs, held at the University of Colorado, Boulder Campus, during which he gave a talk entitled “Creativity in Science and Art.” This subject has come to be studied widely in Academic circles.