Staring at the Sun

"I’ll affect you slowly
as if you were having a picnic in a dream.
There will be no ants.
It won’t rain."
— Richard Brautigan (Loading Mercury With a Pitchfork)

Rick Schenk wants to hear about where you come from.
How is your heritage evident in your identity today?
How does your history impact the ways you relate with others?
Where have you been and where are you going?
These are the stories that Rick explores in oil on wood. 
An obvious affection for the subject informed by tropical color schemes and luscious passages of paint bring a sense of juicy humidity. Quick, energetic brush strokes enliven these characters and invite speculation about their stories. 
With a nod toward French impressionism, and floral motifs inspired by Palm Beach, the effect is Gauguin with an Instamatic. The dreamy fecundity of foliage is corseted by  strict white borders that impart a 20th century modernity.
Pieces from the series integrate beautifully to any design language, with thoughtful mark-making delivering handmade  luxury and the square format declaring contemporary sophistication.