Influenced by Impressionists like Monet and Ce”zanne, Richard started painting water scenes in highschool.  His father, Richard sr., already an accomplished artist, encouraged and taught him the finer points of perspective and color theory.  After graduating with a 60 hour major/minor in Fine Art from Western Michigan University, it was time to get a job and start making a living.  Thus began a 36 year career in sales and marketing, during which Richard started several companies.  During this time art took a back seat to making a living but was always a part of the process in designing ads and marketing strategies.

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     After retiring from his insurance business in 2005, Richard picked up the brush again and joined the Sebastian River Art Club.  Still active with the club, Richard has served as Chair of Art in Public Places, Vice-President and President of the club.  Talking about his motivation the artist says, “The interplay of light and reflection on the water remains fascinating to me.  Thirty years of living in the Florida Keys and traveling in the Caribbean has given me a huge store of visual memories, and I enjoy putting them down on canvas.  For the last few years Richard has been displaying and selling his “kinetic sculptures” as well as his paintings at venues like Art By the Sea, and Art on the Island In Vero Beach.

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