From a very young age, Rick has had a desire to put down on paper what he sees and finds great pleasure in creating artwork that leans toward the nostalgic. Rick studied art at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and received a degree in the Visual Communications curriculum. While his medium of choice is watercolor, working in traditional transparent qualities and gouache which allows more of an oil painting style, he has done exceptional work in pastels and graphite. Through his years as a newspaper illustrator, he has become quite adept at portraiture, often called upon to do in memoriam portraits. Growing up in western Pennsylvania, He has always had a fondness for the beautiful rolling hills and countryside that are ageless and comforting, for this reason he loves to do works that highlight the natural beauty of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Rick’s art hangs with Wyeth family pieces at Village Artworks and Riverside Fine Arts galleries in Bucks County, PA. Village Artworks is owned by prominent artist Christopher Willett, grand-nephew of Edwin Hicks (Peaceable Kingdom). Mr. Willett and fellow artists Joseph Barrett and Jim McGinniss have been recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and have had art displayed in the PA Capitol rotunda. They welcome this fellow artist as the most recent addition to this exclusive gallery.
Summer Nights", a tribute to the Friday night fireworks in New Hope-Lambertville made its debut in mid-May. "Stairway to Dedication, for those who put their lives on the line for us daily", is a tribute to first responders, for the 10th anniversary of 9-11. Done in collaboration with Sculptor Jim McGinniss, both works can be viewed in the 9-11 National Museum Virtual Art Gallery. Stairway to Dedication will benefit varied fire fighter organizations, including a portion of proceeds to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
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