Noel Rockmore (December 15, 1928 – February 19, 1995) was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother, Gladys Rockmore Davis and father, Floyd Davis in New York City. Noel was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime. He is known for his portraits, his early rise to fame, his Preservation Hall Portraits, and for changing his name at the height of his popularity in New York City.

Rockmore demonstrated uncanny talent in both art and music in his early years, leading many to label him a prodigy. He painted in a realistic and old masters style throughout his childhood and adolescence. He experimented with different artistic theories, techniques and ideas as a rising star in the New York art world of the 1950’s.

As the abstract expressionist movement gained momentum throughout the world, Rockmore left New York and went to New Orleans where he changed his name from Noel Davis to Noel Rockmore. He spent the next twenty years commuting between New Orleans and New York City while various dealers tried unsuccessfully to manage him and his often volatile career.

He was a hard drinking, womanizing, bigger than life personality who thrived on filling a room and a canvas with tension and drama. He was commissioned to travel the country and the world using his artistic talent to document the human condition. He continued to paint until the end of his life, but never achieved the elusive recognition as a master painter that he knew he deserved.