Email: rejansmart@aol.com

727 360-4406

Richard recently moved to Florida from the Hudson Valley area of New York. He enjoys the relaxed lifestyle that comes with living on St. Pete Beach.

He graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz, Bank Street College of Education, N.Y.C. and Crewe College of Education, Crewe England. His degrees are in Art Education, Art History and Early Childhood Education.

He taught 34 years in the Hyde Park Central School District. Seventeen were spent teaching art and the other seventeen third grade.

He is a member of TESA, Florida Fine Arts Guild, Pinellas Part Art Society, Beach Art Center and Tampa Realistic Artists.

An award winning artist, Richard has exhibited his work in many local galleries: Finley Hall, Artists Gallery Royal, Kotler Gallery, Croatian Naïve Gallery and Joe Mathis Gallery, Punta Gorda. He has also exhibited with many local art groups.

Having experienced a variety of media, Richard is currently enjoying success with watercolor wash and ink, and collage. Richard didn’t start watercolor until his retirement thirteen years ago. Florida land and seascapes have become a specialty.

Having worked with so many great instructors, he simply takes what he can use and applies the experience.

“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a strong interest in art. Especially painting and drawing. My interest was greatly fostered by my parents and grandparents. It was just assumed that my life’s occupation would be in the arts. It was teaching.

I feel very strongly that the arts, especially the visual arts, are a necessity in everyone’s life. It is the soul of one’s being. I can’t imagine gong through a day without art.”