Born in Boston in 1962, David Schock trained on both sides of the Atlantic, completing his degree in Massachusetts before continuing his studies in Exeter and later working at the Art Students League of New York. His development was shaped by both British and American traditions, reinforced through contact with painters such as Michael Mayer and the portraitist Aaron Shikler.

Raised in a family with strong artistic and design lineage, Schock’s early interest in drawing developed alongside influences from maritime design and decorative arts. Time spent living in New York, California, New Mexico and London broadened his visual range, while sustained periods in New England - where he is now based in Rhode Island - have provided a consistent point of reference. Schock began his career as a portrait painter, establishing a reputation for informal family portraiture. He later expanded into landscape painting, working across France, Italy and England, and exhibiting in London before returning to the United States. His mature work often combines both disciplines, placing figures within carefully observed settings shaped by travel and lived experience. His paintings are held in private collections across Europe, the United States and Asia.