Like many artists my interest in art began as a kid, but for me, it was put on the backburner for years as my family, military service, education and career took priority. Now that life has entered a more manageable pace my desire and ability to paint and grow as an artist has increased.

Painting is a journey that can lead to places of great fame and fortune or just allow you to express deep and unabiding appreciation and love for the beauty of this world in which we live.

The important thing is to enjoy the journey.

I hope the joy of my journey and appreciation for God's amazing creation in which we live can be seen and felt in my paintings.

Rick Barnett Art

Portfolio

Welcome to my portfolio of paintings.

Click on one of the three collections to see the individual paintings in each one, then click on individual paintings to see a description and size of each one.

If you see a painting you would like to purchase please visit the Product Store for pricing information.

THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY

Rick’s artistic journey has followed a non-traditional path with a number of interesting side trips. He was born in rural western Pennsylvania, where an artistic culture was not prevalent, and local art seemed to be limited to large chewing tobacco signs painted on the side of barns! Despite his limited exposureart culture, Rick enjoyed drawing during his youth and eventually ventured into oil paints. His early paintings were focused on his passion for the outdoors and wildlife.

After high school, Rick’s goal to go to college was postponed until he had served a 4-year enlistment in the United States Air Force. While he was serving in the Air Force, he had the good fortune to be stationed in Washington State and Alaska, where his love of the outdoors increased with opportunities to experience the wild and rugged mountain and northern landscapes. It was here that his desire to paint landscapes began to take root and flourish.

After fulfilling his enlistment at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, Rick decided to stay in the 49th State and build a future. It was there where he met his wife, Carisa, and together they began their family of 4 children. Supporting a family on sporadic artwork did not seem to be a prudent plan, so at the age of 23, he went back to school and earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Alaska.

After finishing his master's degree, Rick thought it was time to advance his artistic knowledge, so he enrolled in a Painting 101 course at the university. The instructor did not understand Rick’s desire to learn more about realistic landscape painting and discouraged him from pursuing it. The instructor’s opinion was that landscapes were more interesting as abstract work with purple trees, orange mountains, etc. and if you wanted a realistic landscape you should take a picture - it would be more accurate. There was no meaningful discussions or instructions on values, shapes, form, linework, etc needed in landscape painting. The course was dropped and that was the extent of accredited art instruction for Rick Barnett.

The creative and organic mindset of an artist may seem inconsistent, and even competing, with the logical and calculating mind of an engineer… and it is! But for the next 35 years, the logical/calculating mind paid the bills while the artistic mind never left and yearned for the time and opportunities to paint the beauty of Alaska, North Carolina, and all places in between. Today Rick and Carisa are back in Western PA, enjoying the beauty of the forests, streams, hills, and rural scenery. Since his recent retirement from engineering, there is more time available to pursue the painting passion and grow as an artist.

Over the last 30 years, he has been blessed with opportunities to learn and improve by studying the works of other artists and by taking workshops and online study courses from several outstanding artists such as John Seery-Lester, Matt Smith, Mark Boedges, and Kimball Geisler to name a few. But, as any good landscape artist knows, there is no substitute for getting out for some good old plein air painting and studio time for putting paint on the canvas.

Rick's future goals are to continue to grow and improve as an artist, husband, father and grandfather, and to enjoy the journey!

In the Studio

For landscape artists "in the studio" can be along a riverbank, beside a lake, overlooking a valley, or in a room set up for painting.

Regardless of where the studio is located, in it you will find the tools of the trade: paints, brushes, canvases, easels, and most importantly a love and appreciation of the scenes and subjects that are being captured.

Here are some photos of my "studio".

Product Store

Thank you for your interest in paintings at Rick Barnett Art. If you see any that you would like to purchase just click on the picture below and follow the prompts to put it in your cart.

If you are interested in discussing a commisioned work of your favorite scene or a place that that is special to you or a loved one please send me a message in the Contact Us section.

Inquire about Rick's work

We invite inquiries regarding available landscape paintings and private commissions. Please send a message using the Contact Us form shown to the right.

Rick Barnett Art
Fenelton, Pennsylvania
rbarnettfineart@gmail.com

(724) 991-8762

If you would rather talk to someone in person please call me at the number above. Sometimes I am unable to answer calls so please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.