Richard Prather
Two passions have dominated Richard’s life - the natural environment and painting it. This love of the outdoors lead Richard to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and a career as a Wetlands Biologist for the Environmental Protection Agency.
About the time Richard was entering college, the work of a local wildlife artist caught his attention and sparked his interest in art. It became a natural outlet for Richard by which he could express his passion of the natural environment. Richard’s painting style has evolved over the years and took it’s biggest leap after discovering painting en plein air. Richard’s work began to take on a looser and more "painterly" look, one that draws straight from nature. Years of working in the field have allowed Richard to develop a greater understanding of the natural environment which shows through in his paintings.
Richard currently resides with his wife Sharla, in Garlnad, Texas. They have two daughters, Crystal and Heather. Crystal, a recent graduate of the University of North Texas, is an Interior Designer and Heather is a Senior Kinesiology Major at Texas Woman’s University.
Awards/Shows:
2007:
16th Annual Oil Painters of America Exhibition of Triditional Oils, Fredericksburg, TX
Jury's Top 50, Salon International 2007, San Antonio, TX
Oil Painters of America, Central Regional Show, Topeka, KS
Telluride Plein Air 2007, Telluride, CO
Outdoor Painters Society, 2nd Annual Paint Out, Dallas, TX
Plein Air New Mexico 3rd annual Paint Out, Santa Fe, NM
Kiwanis Club 43 Annual Western Art Show, San Antonio, TX
2006:
Oil Painters of America (OPA) 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Missoula, Montana
One Man Show, Fairmount Gallery, Dallas Texas
Silver Medal, Old Bank Gallery, 2 Annual Juried National Show, Ada, Ok
2nd Place, Oils/Acrylics, RCAS, 40th Annual Regional Show, Richardson, TX
TPAPS, Juried Members Show, Tucson, AZ
1st Annual Plein Air Texas, Paint Out and Show, Dallas, TX
Associated Creative Artist, Members show, Merit Award
Breckenridge 15th Annual Juried National Art Show, Breckenridge, TX
Invited Artist, Paint Historic Manitou Springs, Plein Air Paint Out, Colorado
2005:
PANM, Invatational Exhibition, Ventana Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Top 100, Arts for the Parks, National Juried Competition
Mini 100, Arts for the Parks, National Juried Competition
Paint in the Park, Estes Park, CO. Plien Air Competition
Associated Creative Artist, Members Show, Merit Award
Education/Workshops:
Geroge Strickland, Fredericksburg, Texas, 2006, plein air, oils
Skip Whitcomb, Tucson, Arizona, 2006, plein air, oils
Dan Young, Redstone, Colorado, 2005, plein air, oils
John Budicin, Loveland, Colorado, 2005, plein air, oils
Matt Smith and Ralph Oberg, Ridgeway Colorado, 2004, plein air, oils
Bruce Peil, Dallas Texas, 2004, Oils
Bob Wygant, Hill Country Arts Foundations, summer workshops, 88, 89 and 90, acrylics
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University,1981
Memberships:
Plein Air Painters of the West (PAPW)
Oil Painters of America (OPA)
Plein Air New Mexico (PANM)
Outdoor Painters Society (OPS)
Contact Richard
Richard's Website