David O'Connell was a New York City based artist. Prior to becoming a painter he attended the New York School of Music as a composition major. In 1963, under an Italian Government Assistance Fellowship, he studies advanced composition with Victorio Reiti and Armando Renzi at the Rome Academy of Music. Upon returning to New York in 1966 he assisted John Cage in a series of experimental musical theatre pieces performed at the Pocket Theatre.

In 1967 O'Connell moved to Los Angeles to study painting and sculpture at The Chouinard Art Institute, receiving his BFA in 1970. Upon graduation he joined the faculty at Chouinard as a drawing and painting instructor while attending The University of California as an Art History candidate. After receiving his degree he taught at various universities in California while maintaining a studio and concentrating on an exhibition career.

O'Connell returned to New York in 1985 where he maintained a studio in addition to running an art services business in lower Manhattan until his death in 2011.