Bio & Experience
Rick has been making art since he could hold a paintbrush. Self-taught since then, he has developed a distinctive style with an eclectic base of subject matter. Rick’s pieces usually incorporate bright colors often melded on the canvas with found objects and fabrics and sometimes molded clay as well----all of which create a collage surface that enhance many of his pieces in a real, yet surreal rendering.
Over the years Rick’s subject matter has ranged from painting what he sees around him such as distraught homeless people beneath the backdrop of gorgeous snow capped mountains and groves plentiful with fruit------to fanciful creations such as “It’s Time for Fun” ----- the Orange Show lady with a sculpted carnival as her headdress, her bodice adorned with happy faces and her chest still ticking with a collage of old watches.
So too, over the years, Rick has created large paintings rich with various cultural and mythological allusions. These are of a more graphic design style in which the elements of the piece are first carved out of applied plaster to the canvas and then painted over. Of late, Rick’s study of Buddhist religion and philosophy has inspired several large Buddha paintings and tantric subjects.
Rick has been showing and selling his art since he was a teenager. He has been commissioned to paint murals for both public and private sectors. He has exhibited his work throughout Southern California over the last 25+ years including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sales & Rental Gallery……..and he was recognized as a “very important regional artist” at the 2008 National Orange Show International Juried Exhibition where his painting, “Crazy Weather,” was the Purchase Award Winner and is now part of the National Orange Show’s permanent Art Collection. Rick’s art adorns many walls in public and private collections throughout the United States.
Rick has lived and painted in the Inland Empire all his life. He currently works at ARC School of Hope in San Bernardino, where he teaches art to developmentally disabled adults. His students continue to show, place, and sell in juried local art exhibitions. He maintains a busy studio at home where he mentors his passion for making art with students of all ages.
additional professional background information
If you have an interest in my work or have another project in mind, feel free to contact me.