"I love to paint, painting is a release for me. I often let the paint do what it wants when I'm working. I usually create images with movement, sometimes subtle, and let the brushstrokes and color create and enhance that movement. To me the color and fresh rhythm of the brush and paint keep the image alive. If I soften the color and overwork it to become too realistic, I've killed the emotion and it becomes flat and dead. I start my work with a detailed realistic drawing (which I struggle with, drawing to me is the hardest part). I want the initial image precise for a firm starting point, so the sketch becomes an exercise in detail and concentration. Then I let go and let the paint flow. This is the fun part, the time of joy and meditation. Finishing the painting can also be difficult for me. I have to tighten up the brush strokes and put everything back in order. Painting is like life, The beginning and end is the hard part. The stuff in between is fun and exciting."
Rick was born in Minneapolis and studied art at the University of Oregon, with a scholarship. He graduated in 1978 and after living in Oregon for another year traveled across the U.S. and back to Minneapolis. Here he worked as an art consultant and continued to paint and study at the University of Minnesota. In 1985 he moved to Alaska.
His work has been shown in Anchorage at Stonington, Decker Morris and Kolstad Galleries and at the Anchorage Museum 1996 Juried Art Show. His work can also be seen in galleries in Homer, Juneau, Skagway, as well as Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Minnesota and as far away as Norway.
After two trips to the McNeil River, Rick particularly enjoys painting bears, although he has painted other series which include Native Americans, his children, the Homeless, and Shamans.
Rick currently lives and paints in Anchorage.
Training 
Past Exhibits Awards In Print
Training
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. 1978
Past Exhibits
New Artist/New Gallery - First Friday Show, December 1999
Arctic Rose Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska
New Release Show, November 1999, Kolstad Art Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska All Juried Art Show, Brunnell Gallery, Homer, Alaska - June 1999
Decker/Morris Invitational Show, Anchorage, Alaska - May 1999
1999 Annual Artist's Invitational Show, Bardarson Gallery,
Seward, Alaska - May 1999
Traveling Show, Taku Graphics, Summer 1999
African Show, Starbird Gallery, Seward, Alaska - March 1999
Solo Show, Various Works, Qupqugiac Café, Anchorage, Alaska - February 1999
Solo Show, Greeting From Hallo Bay, Qupqugiac Café - October 1998
1998 Shorebird Festival Solo Show, Sea Lion Gallery, Homer, Alaska - May 1998
Kenai Fjords Show, Kenai Fjords Visitor Center, Seward, Alaska - Summer 1998
Kenai Fjords Show, Bardarson Gallery, Seward, Alaska - May 1998
Show with Bob Durr, Kolstad Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska - February 1998
Spiritual Images, International Gallery of Art, Anchorage, Alaska - December 1997
Alaska All Juried Art Show, Anchorage Museum of History & Art - 1996
Shorebird Exhibit, Kenai Fjords Visitor Center, Seward, Alaska - Summer 1996
Kenai Shorebird Festival, Bardarson Gallery, Seward, Alaska - 1996
Exit Glacier Exhibit, Kenai Fjords Visitor Center, Seward, Alaska - Summer 1995
Exit Glacier Show, Bardarson Gallery, Seward, Alaska - 1995
The Shelter Show, Stonington Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska - June 1993
Recent Works, Three Artists, Stonington Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska - January 1993
Flanders Contemporary Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota - 1983 &1984
Sky Gallery Art Exhibit, Normandale College, Minneapolis, Minnesota - 1982
University of Oregon Gallery, Eugene, Oregon, 1978
Peoples Gallery, Eugene, Oregon, 1977
Open Gallery, Eugene, Oregon, 1974-78
Awards
Alaska All Juried Art Show - Honorable Mention
Anchorage Museum of History & Art, 1996
Johnston - Halley Scholarship of Fine Art
University of Oregon, 1976
Featured in
InformArt, Fall 1998