My Background
My Background
My Background
In 2009 Rich Alexander had the good fortune of meeting Illustrator Alan Reingold while Rich was designing the 9/11 firefighter Memorial in Mt. Kisco, NY. Alan encouraged him to attend his portrait classes in Mt. Kisco and at Parsons School of Design in NYC. After working with Alan for two years Rich met fine artist Geoff Barbey who inst
In 2009 Rich Alexander had the good fortune of meeting Illustrator Alan Reingold while Rich was designing the 9/11 firefighter Memorial in Mt. Kisco, NY. Alan encouraged him to attend his portrait classes in Mt. Kisco and at Parsons School of Design in NYC. After working with Alan for two years Rich met fine artist Geoff Barbey who instructed Rich in oil painting at his Dobbs Ferry Studio. Geoff introduced Rich to famed landscape painter John Osborne who taught traditional painting at the Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood NJ and Rich has been painting at the Ridgewood Art Institute ever since.
Rich is a trained Draftsman and owned and operated a Sign Company, hand lettering signs and trucks with lettering enamels. In 1986 Rich became a New York City Fire Fighter. During his 21 year career with the FDNY Rich designed, built and painted dozens of firehouse tables all over New York City, painted murals on firehouse walls and designed many company logos. Most tables have elaborate hand painted murals and are covered in clear epoxy which will last many lifetimes.
Rich describes his transition from working in some of New York City’s busiest fire houses to working in some of the best studios around as “One of the most exciting things I’ve ever done, I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I’m drawn to anything creative, when I was in high school my father and I restored a 1958 corvette. That experience left an indelible impression. Witnessing the transformation of a broken down, dusty old non-functioning classic vehicle to an award winning sports car was awe inspiring.” Rich has renovated houses, designed Granite Memorials, and designed developed and managed production of residential lighting. “I’ve had a good run of creative experiences over the years, oil painting however has captured my heart and changed my life. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m devoted to developing my skills as an oil painter. The parallel between the comradery I experienced in firehouses all over New York City and the comradery I see in the studios is captivating. People helping people.” Rich is drawn to seascapes and landscapes but loves still life work as well.
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Shows
My Background
My Background
2021
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, Art Center Manatee, Bradenten, Fla.
2020
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, South Carolina
2020
Oil Painters of America National Salon Show Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils. Escondido Museum, Escondido, Ca.
2020
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2021
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, Art Center Manatee, Bradenten, Fla.
2020
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, South Carolina
2020
Oil Painters of America National Salon Show Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils. Escondido Museum, Escondido, Ca.
2020
New Haven Paint and Clay Club 119th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, New Haven, Ct.
2019
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George Utah
*Ridgewood Art Institiute 30th Regional Juried Show.
*Ridgefield Guild of Artists 41st Annual Juried Show, Fall 2018
Salmagundi Club 40th Annual Juried Non-Member Show, NYC Summer 2018
2018
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Steamboat Springs, Co. Steamboat Art Museum
2018
*Ridgefield Artist Guild Annual Juried Show Juror Susan Powell, Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison, Ct.
*Ridgewood Art Institute 38th Annual Regional Juried Show, Gregory Mortensen and Tim Saternow Jurors. January 2018
Ridgewood Art Institute 37th Annual Regional Juried Show, Jon Demartin and Susan Weintraub Jurrors. January 2017
Salmagundi Club 38th Annual Juried Non-Members Show, NYC July 2016
Ridgewood Art Institute 36th Regional Open Juried Show 2016, Jurors Antonio Masi and Nicole Mone’ January 2016
Arts Students League Open Juried Show at Vytlicil, NY, June 2015
Katonah Museum of Art Schoolhouse Theater Gallery, Curator Tom Christopher, April 2015
Mamaroneck Arts Guild Small Works Show, Juror David Dunlop, April 2015
Katonah Museum of Art Close to the Edge, Juried show February 2015 Juror, Catherine Vanaria, Director of Art, Western Conn. University.
Ridgewood Art Institute Regional Open Juried Show, January 2015 Juror, Jennifer Adams, Michalyn Tarantino
Ossining Arts Council 2014 Living Art event, Juried show October 2014
Mamaroneck Library Cars 2014, September 2014 Juror, Alan Reingold, Parsons School of Design.
Arts Westchester A horse of Corse, Juried show September 2013 Juror Alan Reingold, Parsons School of Design
September 11th Memorial Show Mt. MKPL Gallery, September 2011
*Award in show
Awards
My Background
Awards
2023
Greenwich Art Society Open Juried Show, Greenwich CT, Studio School Award
2023
Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, Southbay Festival of the Arts, Torrance CA, Silver Award
2023
Oil Painters Of America 32nd National Exhibition, Charleston SC 1st Place Wet Paint Competition Studio Division
2023
Hudson Valley Art Association 90th Annual Open Ju
2023
Greenwich Art Society Open Juried Show, Greenwich CT, Studio School Award
2023
Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, Southbay Festival of the Arts, Torrance CA, Silver Award
2023
Oil Painters Of America 32nd National Exhibition, Charleston SC 1st Place Wet Paint Competition Studio Division
2023
Hudson Valley Art Association 90th Annual Open Juried Show, Lyme CT, AAPL Award
2023
Ridgewood Art Institute Open Juried Show
Lilian Kendrick Memorial Award
2022
Oil Painters of America,Steamboat CO, Realism Honorable Mention,
31st National Juried Exhibition
2022
16th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Finalist
2021
The Ridgewood Art Institute 41st Open Juried Show. Angela Mineo Memorial Award
2020
The Ridgefield Guild of Artists 43rd Annual Juried Show First Place. Juror Cybele Maylone, Executive Director, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
2020
Ridgewood Art Institute 40th Annual Regional Open Juried Show. Donata Cardona Barrisi Still Life Award. Jurors D. Elainne Basa and Lynn D. Pratt
2019
Ridgewood Art Institute 39th Annual Regional Juried Show. Blick Award. Jurors Roberta Oliver and Garin Baker.
2018
Ridgefield Guild of Artists 41st Annual Juried Show, 3rd place. Juror Denise Bibro, Denise Bibro Fine Art, NYC
2018
Oil Painters of America, Award of Excellence. Colorado Rocky Mountain High Wet Paint Competition. Steamboat Springs Colorado. Juror Richard Galusha, Wild Horse Gallery.
2018
Ridgefield Guild of Artist
Annual Juried Show
Honorable Mention
Juror Susan Powell, Susan Powell Fine Art Madison, Ct.
2017
Ridgewood Art Institute
37th Annual Regional Open Juried Show
Lorainne Minetto Memorial Award
2015
Gamblin Oil Paints Torret Grey, International Oil Paint Competition, Honorable Mention
2015
Lukas Oil Paints International Winter Painting Competition, 3rd Place
2013
Gamblin Oil Paints Torret Grey, International Oil Paint Competition, Honorable Mention
2010
USSC International Design Competition, Multi Media, First Place wall art