Barbara L.Rickard. Paintress

Yeah... where HAVE I been all your life? Miraculously, I've always been able to eek out a living as an artist. The most recent 20 years labeled me "the painter lady of the Chip Strip". McMonkey's, Sky Bar, Crocodile, Spot Coffee... Their vision and my unbridled enthusiasm while slinging a paint brush, a fabric swag or a screw gun, created spaces unlike what the city had seen before. It was joyful. Before that I attended Fredonia State where they let me create my own curriculum of Medical Illustration. I had a good deal of success in the athletics program, and now my photo is on a wall there. My first venture was a little art gallery in Clarence. I put out a shingle & waited for people to come in and give me their money. hmmmm... Neeext... downtown, a small design studio with several sturdy clients, albums, brochures and the like...then...along comes the dreaded computer where "somebody's cousin can do that job for 50 bucks." See Ya! So I start this bar & restaurant gig. Loads of fun, tons of energy, and now, mostly painted over..sigh. (Ah hell,those ladders were getting too heavy anyway) My INSPIRATIONS? The human body and it's strength, especially that of women, the fragility and tenacity of nature, and anything that takes me by surprise.