To inquire about a commission painting, you can contact Richard through his facebook page or his website under 'Contact'.
www.richardthorpefineart.com
http://facebook.com/ThorpeART
Richard was born in the small town of Carlsbad, NM. His first influence to the art world came from his father, Richard Thorpe Jr, at a very early age through simple coloring books and drawings. He has been quoted, 'the imagination is the most important thing for a child to develop..'
All through Elementary school, Richard would draw anything he could find. All the comics in the Sunday paper, picture books, cartoon characters, and all to a very impressive likeness for his age. He won many art contests in his early school years as well. (Somewhere out there, there are folders of his very earliest drawings, lost!!) Jumping to the year 2003, that's when Richard was introduced to Oil Painting. By this time he had advanced greatly with his drawing techniques and simply decided to take up oil painting, looking for a new challenge. 'once you learn how to shade correctly, you can draw anything because thats all it is..' With no prior knowledge of how to use oil paints, Richard began his countless lessons of trial and era, day and night in his upstairs room. In constant study and fascination of the late Salvador Dali and the old
Masters of the Renaissance, Richard's unique style was in the making. For the first 4 years you see a steady, continued style and advancement in Richard's work. It wasn't until late 2007 when Richard took yet another leap into his now advanced, life size figure paintings.
Its been eight years in the making now.. Proudly self taught, the combination of the classical Renaissance techniques developed, with the surreal imagination of an artist, Richard has developed a most unique style. Richard is constantly pushing his limits with bigger, more elaborate,
life size figure paintings. The drive of perfection and with the challenge to outdo one's self, over and over again, he is his best and worst enemy all in one.
Whats in the future for Richard Thorpe? 'Florence, Italy'! Is all he says when asked. Florence, where all the 'true' art came from. There is an amazing art school he is trying to get himself to. The Florence Academy of Fine Art. An art school not only based in the heart of the worlds greatest art, but is also structured and focused on the old style and primarily figurative work. Richard is also working on a collection of paintings to have a one-man show at the end of this year, 2011/ early 2012. In the meantime, he is a full-time artist making a living off custom art work, portraits, landscape, or simply reproducing any style desirable for his clients.
Richard J Thorpe joined Pixels.com Licensing on July 10th, 2011.
