Featured Artist Richard Shaffett

Painter Richard Shaffett shares a compelling tropical portfolio filled with vivid colors and intense sunlight. See more from this talented artist by visiting his website.

 

 

I was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1945. A few years later my dad’s job took the family to Aruba for six years.  As a young child, the island had a life-changing impact on me. I began to draw there. The exotic landscape and the incredible water set my artistic direction for life. After returning home, I learned to use pastels and built model kits. I drew a lot throughout high school, mostly cars and girls!

 

 

After some college I joined the Navy. During off duty hours I taught myself to draw using the only thing available: ball point pens. It was very demanding. During that time, seeing some exotic places fueled my tropical island passion.

 

 

After discharge and a couple of “neutral” years at home, I attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, majoring in advertising art. Upon leaving school, I decided to stay in Sarasota and began working at local advertising agencies. I painted at night and on weekends.

 

 

My commercial art experience included ad design and production, and graphics, ranging from newspaper ads to product label art and logos. Doing architectural renderings and indoor murals was more fun, all before computers! This work helped me design better paintings.

 

 

My fine art experiences included carving wooden birds (with the help of a tool I designed), resin casting of jellyfish (which I carved and painted) suspended in resin shapes, and mostly painting.

 

 

My painting method was loosely borrowed from Maxfield Parrish, one of my art heroes. It involves glazing with acrylics onto panel which gives great depth. If I have a style, it’s simply the end product of learning to paint this way over the years, as I naturally evolve with the process.

 

 

Every painting shows me something new. I use computers, image banks and my own photos and experience to do the most genuine authentic work I can.

 

 

I love art, especially painting. It is my life. My mission is  to give people a quiet, peaceful place away from the chaos of the world we have created for ourselves.

 

 

I have long since retired from the commercial art scene and have a happy, quiet life in Sarasota with my wonderful wife and our wonderful dog.

 

Richard Shaffett invites you to follow on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

 

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