After graduating with a degree in art at Eastern New Mexico University, Richard dropped out of the art world to concentrate on a career in business.   “For every thing there is a season.  For many years my  choices were focused on providing for my family and I put art aside for a while.  Painting has always been my love, so even though I was spending my time on other things, art was never  too far away from me.”

Finally, the  siren’s call became too great to ignore.  So once again, Richard picked up his brushes and dove in.  “When you start something all over again after being gone for a long time it’s pretty humiliating.  It’s hard to look at your work, knowing it stinks, and not get discouraged.   I guess the key is that  you’ve got to hang in there.” 

“I started studying at Watts Atelier of the Arts, an outstanding art school run by Jeffry Watts.  The caliber of instructors in that school is extremely high.  All of the instructors are professional artist (either studio artists, illustrators, etc) that make their living with their talent.  You can’t help but improve when you’re around that kind of talent, it just rubs off on you.”

Richard’s ultimate goal is to become a teacher.  “I know I have a long way to go to be good enough to teach at a school that has a very high standard of excellence, but that’s my goal and I know some day I’ll get there.”   In the mean time, Richard is dedicated to putting in the brush mileage, under the critical eye of some of the best artists in the west, and to keep chasing the dream that he’s had for a very long time.