LEWIS & CLARK PAINTINGS

Robert Rickards was born in Wichita, KS and raised in the San Fernando Valley, CA. His love of art and his talent are natural gifts. His interest in the American West comes from his love of American History.

For 35 years he has created paintings that capture, on canvas, the early West with its beauty, excitement and dangers through the conflicts, tragedies, triumphs and progress of its people. His technique is warm, dramatic and expressive in its colorful tribute to the great stories of endurance and glory. Twenty-three of these years were also dedicated to creating the 84 paintings of the "Lewis & Clark Expedition," a series that has earned him nationwide acclaim as the "Premier Lewis & Clark" artist.

The Ronald Reagan Library in celebration of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Celebration chose forty-three of these paintings to display as they're featured exhibit for 2004. As so aptly said by one of the visiting teachers, "if a picture is worth a thousand words, then these paintings are countless."

Rickards' paintings have been exhibited in the National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA; Journey's End National Art Exhibit, Astoria, OR; and the C.M. Russell Auction, Great Falls, MT. He has been published in feature articles in Wild West, We Proceed On and Westways Magazines. His work has appeared on The History Channel and Public Service TV for the States of Montana and Idaho, as well as being the featured artist on a 30-minute educational video and 288 page book "Feasting & Fasting with Lewis & Clark."

He has been installed as a member in the prestigious "Focus on the Masters" an organization dedicated to chronicling the works of noted artists.

Rickard's paintings are on display at the Clearwater Gallery, Sisters, OR; and the Primary Elements Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR. His works can be found in many Private as well as Corporate collections throughout the U.S.

Robert L. Rickards resides in Thousand Oaks, CA.