Two passions have dominated Richard’s life - the natural environment and painting it. This love of the outdoors leads Richard to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and a career as a Biologist for the Environmental Protection Agency.
About the time Richard was entering college, the work of a local wildlife artist caught his attention and sparked his interest in art. It became a natural outlet for Richard by which he could express his passion of the natural environment. Following graduation from College, Richard took a job with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service and worked as a Conservationist in the state of Louisiana. Richard sought out local artist to learn from and continue his study of art. Richard began to show his work at local and State level shows and accumulate more than 20 first place and several Best of Show awards in short time.
Richard and his wife Sharla have two daughters, Crystal and Heather. As the girls grew older, his role as a father took priority over his love for painting. Shortly after Heather Lee, the youngest daughter departed home for College, Richard tuned his focus squarely back to painting. That was in 2004. That year Richard discovered Painting in Plein Air and he’s not looked back.
Richard's style of painting has evolved over the years but it took its biggest leap after taking a Matt Smith and Ralph Oberg Workshop. Richard’s work began to take on a looser and more “painterly” look, but one that draws straight from nature. Years of working in the field as a biologist have allowed Richard to develop a greater understanding of the natural environment which shows through in his paintings.
Richard and Sharla currently reside in Garland, Texas.
Awards/Shows:
2008:
Top 100, Paint the Parks, National Competition
Second 100, Paint the Parks, National Competition
Second Mini 50, Paint the Parks, National Competition
2007: 16th Annual Oil Painters of America Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Fredericksburg, TX
Salon International 2007, San Antonio, TX : Jury's Top Fifty Award.
Telluride Plein Air 2007, Telluride, CO
Outdoor Painters Society, 2nd Annual Paint Out, Dallas, TX
Plein Air New Mexico 3rd annual Paint Out, Santa Fe, NM
Riverbend Gallery, Pride of Place Show, Marble Falls, TX
2006: Oil Painters of America (OPA) 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Missoula, Montana
One Man Show, Fairmount Gallery, Dallas Texas
Silver Medal, Old Bank Gallery, 2 Annual Juried National Show, Ada, Ok
2nd Place, Oils/Acrylics, RCAS, 40th Annual Regional Show, Richardson, TX
TPAPS, Juried Members Show, Tucson, AZ
1st Annual Plein Air Texas, Paint Out and Show, Dallas, TX
Associated Creative Artist, Members show, Merit Award
Breckenridge 15th Annual Juried National Art Show, Breckenridge, TX
Invited Artist, Paint Historic Manitou Springs, Plein Air Paint Out, Colorado
2005: PANM, Invitational Exhibition, Ventana Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Top 100, Arts for the Parks, National Juried Competition
Mini 100, Arts for the Parks, National Juried Competition
Paint in the Park, Estes Park, CO. Plein Air Competition
Associated Creative Artist, Members Show, Merit Award
Education/Workshops:
George Strickland, Fredericksburg, Texas, 2006, plein air, oils
Skip Whitcomb, Tucson, Arizona, 2006, plein air, oils
Dan Young, Redstone, Colorado, 2005, plein air, oils
John Budicin, Loveland, Colorado, 2005, plein air, oils
Matt Smith and Ralph Oberg, Ridgeway Colorado, 2004, plein air, oils
Bob Wygant, Hill Country Arts Foundations, 88, 89 and 90, acrylics
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University,1981
Memberships:
Plein Air Painters of the West (PAPW)
Oil Painters of America (OPA)
Plein Air New Mexico (PANM)
Outdoor Painters Society (OPS)
