cover
by joel martens
property in Connecticut while quite young, he would return to his “home state” as an adult. The move east however, placed him a short distance from one of the great cultural centers in the
U.S...New York City. Offering him, as he shared, “Access to many forms of cultural influences from artists, museums, theater architecture and history. Things you see reflected in so much of my painting.” In Connecticut, he was surrounded as well by an assortment
of “creative types,” providing fertile grounds for his emerging talent. A gift recognized early and encouraged, “My parents noticed my creativity before school started and they gave me colored pencils, crayons, pens and paper to draw with at a very early age. We would go to local, historic sites and I would try my best to draw what I saw. My aunt noticed and started bringing me art books when she visited.” A specific story illustrates the moment he found his muse, “One day, when I was four-years- old, I got into my mother’s paint-by-numbers
set...It was like a passionate fire was lit inside me and kept me painting and drawing.” When queried about how he maintains that passion, “My
RD Riccoboni CAPTURING THE FIRE... When I create,
I always think of it as a challenge
and step up to the canvas and just
start. Everything is an experiment for me.”
RD Riccoboni is one of those artists whose work offers the uncanny ability to communicate the essence of his subjects— capturing their fire—be it people or object. He manages to depict the light and dark of a flash in time, securing his subjects in a moment on canvas with a vibrancy and depth much like those illustrated in the vivacious colors and brush strokes of impressionist masters such as Monet, Picasso and van Gogh. He describes it best in his own words, “Portraying the light is very important to me, it actually makes me happy when I pull it off. I look for the best possible situation to be expressed through the art piece and do my best to capture it in a positive light. It’s the best compliment when someone says, ‘Wow, you made that ugly building beautiful.’ Or when a model says, ‘Wow, you saw something gorgeous in me that I don’t see.’ It’s about capturing the spirit of the subject. If I can do that, I’ve done my job.” Riccoboni considers himself a native Californian having been born in Fresno and spending much of his early years in Long Beach. Though his family relocated to his grandparent’s
10 RAGE monthly | APRIL 2016
muse changes from time to time. For me, loving life and people are a good way to keep the fire going. I may have an image, or images (many times more than one in my mind at once). I do my research, draw or take pictures relating to what I want to paint and sometimes, even write descriptions. It’s like creating a map. I also work from both live models and or photographs. I used to carry a camera with me everywhere I went in case I saw something that peaked my interest, which I felt I had to paint. Now, I use my cell phone to catch inspiring scenes or experiences. I have a lot of fun doing it. You have to keep it fun, always.” “I have about five different styles that I paint in,” Riccoboni continued, “Depending on my moods, my palette stays the same, which is how many people have come to recognize my work, but the style changes form realism to contemporary abstract impressionism. When I compose a body of work, I will keep the style consistent for it, I may paint twenty different portraits and they will be in one style.” As to how he chooses his subjects, “When I create, I always think of it as a challenge and step up to the canvas and just start. Everything is an experiment for me. It will turn out well or it won’t. My secret is dedication, consistency and to just show the work that I feel turned out well and I’m proud of. I paint what appeals to me and what I love.”
RD Riccoboni’swork can be seen at his studio at the Beacon Artworks Gallery, 2121 Fifth Avenue in San Diego from Tuesday through Friday, or by appointment. For more information, call 619.823.7263 or go to
rdriccoboni.com.
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