Ralph Hocker is a lifelong Central Pennsylvanian. He was born and raised in Marysvile, Pa, attended Susquenita High School and now lives in the Mechanicsburg area. He had planned to become a commercial artist, but his career took a different turn.

For 30 years he worked at Dillsburg, Pa’s Duplex Products, a business forms manufacturer. About 25 years ago he took up the hobby of wood carving and became a member of the West Shore Wood Carvers. Today, his fish, wood spirits, walking sticks and other items are much sought by collectors.  
In 2005, he began painting with watercolors and soon after, switched to acrylics. Most of his current work is done in that medium.

Three years later, he began painting with the “Seven Lively Artists” and participating in their exhibits and events. This self-taught artist paints at the Mechanicsburg Art Center and the 3rd Street Gallery in New Cumberland.

His work features a wide array of still life subjects and the buildings and landscapes of central Pennsylvania that he paints en plein air with other local artists.