David Frazer graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1970 with a BFA in painting and received his MA in painting from University of New Mexico in 1976. While at RISD He traveled to Rome as part of the European Honors Program; he would go on to become the chief critic of the RISD/Rome program. Frazer has taught at RISD since 1978.
His paintings are informed by the aesthetics of collage and printing. He has exhibited his work and been a guest artist internationally.