A native of Oklahoma, Daly studied art at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. His paintings are represented in permanent collections of museums and historical societies and in many private and corporate collections. Daly has also received numerous awards for his artwork, including the People's Choice Award at the Western Rendezvous of Art. His work was also selected by the Public Communications Foundation for the nationwide PBS release of the six-part series, "The West of the Imagination."

Daly's concern with authenticity is supported by his large studio collection of costumes and artifacts. Whether the piece is sentimental or dramatic, Daly is always sincere in his portrayal of the American land and her people. He says, "I want my art to be exciting, to have drama, intimacy, emotion, feeling and delight, and to always be visually beautiful. By using inspired composition and design concepts and by utilizing the basic principles of contrast, harmony and balance of color, shapes and values, an artist can create a fine work of art no matter what school of art one embraces. These basic principles apply in abstraction, realism or impressionism."