Social Distancing in the City Painting

Richard Schlicher is an artist living in Simsbury, CT. He was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. He has worked in the finance industry for almost forty years and now devotes much more time to art then finance. While appreciating art all his life, he began painting (with oil pastels) about a decade ago. He now paints almost exclusively with oils and works in his home studio. Richard went to DePauw University and Indiana University for his MBA. Richard received the "Best In Show" award at the 2021 West Hartford Art League CT + 6 juried exhibit. He previously received the Barbara Morley Award for oil painting. He is a member of the West Hartford Art League. He has had several solo and joint art shows. His website is Instagram as rschlicher Artist Statement It is not altogether clear to me how I arrived at this point artistically. I was not particularly artistically inclined as a child although I was exposed to art by my father who modestly collected. I enjoyed drawing and coloring with my children and believe this could have been the germ. As the children grew up and more time was available I began sketching and painting occasional water colors. I then discovered oil pastels and the paintings began to flow. Around seven years ago I took an introductory oil class and subsequently set up a studio in the basement. Since that time I have painted landscapes, portraits, abstracts, and anything else that interests me. My pictures range in size from 5”x 7” to 48"x 72". I am inspired by all other artists and especially the giants. I attend galleries and museums whenever I can. I also am inspired by nature and my daily walks with the dogs in the neighboring fields have resulted in many paintings.