About Rick Powers

Richard “Rick” Powers is a 6th generation Floridian was born April 11. 1944, in Bartow, Florida. He graduated from Sumerlin Institute now Bartow Senior High School in 1962 and served in the United States Navy for four years. He attended and graduated from Florida Southern College in 1975.

Richard is a self-taught artist who at an early age showed an interest in art. Through the years this interest grew to the point that in 1967 his parents bought him his first paint set and launched his career in art. His father taught him his love for nature and its environment and they spent many hours in the woods and on the water. These times are reflected in his art as he recalls those most treasured moments.

Due to the influx of people our fragile landscape has declined to a point that the natural habitat of our wildlife has all but disappeared. Touched by this rapid loss of landscape and wildlife that he had known as a child, he developed a strong urge to paint the landscapes and wildlife that he had known so as to preserve for future generations what Florida once was.

Due to medical problems and the loss of the sight in his left eye his art career was set-aside until 1989, when he had the good fortune to meet World Renowned Artist Robert Butler. The two struck a friendship that has grown over the years and greatly influenced his art. His association with Internationally known wildlife artist John Seerey-Lester and his wife Suzie as well as painting with artist such as Thomas Brooks, and Tom Freeman has all influenced his art. Along with Robert Butler, Levy Harrison, and Joe Piatt, Richard has painted murals (16 ft.) for three consecutive years at Cracker Country located on the Florida State Fair Grounds in Tampa, Florida.

Many collectors throughout Florida, United States, and Great Britain, have felt the irresistible magic of a Powers painting. His work hangs in corporate Offices as well as private collections.

Attended:
University of South Florida
Polk Junior College (Associates of Arts Degree in Accounting)
Florida Southern College (Graduated with a BA Degree in Accounting)

 Shows:
Frostproof Days 1995, 1996

SunTrust Jacaranda Fine Arts Festival 1996

Rainbow Regional Art Show 2000

Blooming Arts Festival 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Guest Artist:
Sarasota Sportsman Banquet 2002, 2003, 2004

Mote Marine “Snook Shindig” Banquet 2003, 2004

University of South Florida “Belles & Boots  Bash” Fund Raiser November 19, 2005, Lange Farm, Dade City, Fl

 Projects:
Cracker Country, Florida State Fair 1997, 1998, 1999

Wall mural at Cypress Caf?, Winter Haven, Florida

Wall murals for Fort Meade Historical Society, Fort Meade, Florida

Three wall murals at Outpost 27 located just south of I-4 on Hwy. 27.

Four 4’ paintings reproduce in floor tiles 12’ x 12’ for Winter Haven Area Transit Authority.

Anniversary painting for The Citrus Connection in Lakeland, FL.

 Judge:
39th annual Lake Placid Arts and Crafts Country Fair 2005

Articles:
Frostproof  News January 1995

 Lakeland Ledger November 2003, April 23, 2004

Winter Haven News Chief April 05, 2004. 2006, 2007, 2008

Originals, Prints, Commissions, Commercial & Residential Mural, and Portraits