Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bobbie Rich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Bobbie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Over the past four decades, Community Corp has made Santa Monica a more inclusive, caring, and environmentally sustainable city. CCSM homes welcome people from all backgrounds and provide opportunities for families, children, and seniors to be a part of Santa Monica’s dynamic community. Santa Monica is also my home and I have had the good fortune of partnering with CCSM for nearly a decade. I cherish the friendships and delight in providing fun, educational art experiences for all ages. We’ve also had the joy of putting residents’ art on display, whether it be for CCSM’s Artists Among Us event, painting a community room mural together, or collaborating on a vibrant window display. The kindness and enthusiasm of residents is truly the greatest reward! It’s inspiring to see kids, parents, grandparents all drawing together and having immense pride in their beautiful masterpieces.

Bobbie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an independent artist and art educator, living and working in Santa Monica. I was originally drawn to the West Coast by art and academic scholarships to the University of Southern California. My art business is built upon a foundation of knowledge, passion, laughter, and many good people – excited to share their discovery of me and spread the word. Word of mouth has been absolutely critical to my success. I bring art experiences to people, truly providing an escape from the mundane… an art vacation! Some individuals or groups commit to weekly lessons. Others call on me for special occasions or simply when time permits. I teach in private residences from Malibu to Bel Air to Venice, as well as, at companies ranging from Four Seasons and Soho House to Kaiser Permanente to various design firms to restaurants and shops simultaneously displaying my paintings. Every day is a new adventure. You could never pinpoint me as an introvert. Teaching is a bit like being on stage. I thrive sharing art history, techniques, and making fine art attainable to everyone. My pupils have literally spanned from age 1 (very unusual!) to two 100 year olds.

My own mixed media creations are featured in private collections in cities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the South Pacific. I have created a number of significant bodies of work. I am perhaps most well known for my People Watching series, transforming sterile, perfect advertising images into whimsical satire. Mizel Estate Vineyard, Thousand Oaks and The Galen, Palm Desert presently exhibit my People Watching paintings. I’m also currently showing my Hummingbird series with a few People Watching flower girls at Sin Barco, Santa Monica. Hummingbirds buzz around me as I paint on my balcony. They are a constant source of joy and inspire magic on my canvases. Another inspiration from nature is the ocean. I’ve always been passionate about water. I began swimming before I could walk and have been a fish ever since. Walking out to the ocean is a magnificent getaway. The ocean’s immensity instantly centers me. It was only a matter of time before the sea found its way to my canvas. Canvases in my Ocean series are built up with layers of molding paste, acrylic and oil. They are created very intuitively, relying on memory and improvisation. I have even painting waves live at The Fairmont Miramar and Highways Performance Space, 18th Street Art Center. Under the sea, jellyfish have also made their way onto my canvas and to many collectors across the country and beyond. The US Embassy in Papua New Guinea even showcased one jellyfish work by yours truly. Sea Gems, my series of entrancing jellyfish canvases, was inspired by the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium tanks. The sea backgrounds are flush to the stretched canvas. Iridescent brushstrokes are visible. The jellyfish are slightly raised with a super slick, shiny finish. Crystal formations flourish in the jellyfish paint. The art captures and reflects light it in the most beautiful way. The ocean glistens, while the jellyfish ebb and flow with the ever shifting light. Like my jellyfish, I’m constantly shifting and exploring new subject matter, as well as, revisiting these favorite series of mine. My Sea Gem paintings may currently be viewed at Lido di Manhattan Beach.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Visibility is incredibly important for artists. Walking around Santa Monica, I am struck with the number of vacant storefronts. They aren’t exactly vibrant or welcoming to tourists or residents. Why not display local artists in the storefronts? It would be a win for everyone. The art would draw attention to landlords’ vacant properties. Artists work would be seen. Residents and tourists would enjoy a more beautiful, unique neighborhood.

Also critical to artists is selling art. We can’t compete with the cost of mass produced posters. If the cost of my work is a stretch, I am open to negotiating pricing or setting up a monthly payment plan. Having real, original, one-of-a-kind art not only elevates your space, but also your sense of well being. Some of my collectors’ homes have an ocean view. Others have hung one of my ocean paintings and created their own ocean view. It makes me smile so big to hear the appreciation people have for my work.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

This is a bit of a twist on the question, but there is a myth that many non-creatives firmly believe. Growing up most of us were not taught step-by-step how to technically draw, paint, create. Kids are typically very willing to learn these skills, although like adults, some are their own harshest critics. Adults who don’t create on a regular basis often think it’s impossible to draw or paint proficiently without a “gift” for the arts. I’m officially busting this myth! I can break down a drawing or painting into very manageable steps. I demonstrate so students or art party goers can actually see each step. Everyone is amazed at the end of a single session with what they have accomplished. For corporate events, wine and painting, kids birthdays, family art – you name it – my students have created works inspired by Van Gogh, O’Keeffe, Murakami, Kusama, Thiebaud, and many more renowned artists. Individual weekly lessons can progress even further, as I’m able to facilitate training students’ eyes to breakdown complicated drawings into simple shapes and expand their knowledge of art techniques throughout history. The goal is to have fun, laugh, learn, and eventually create your own style or at the very least a beautiful painting you can be proud of!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bobbierich.com
• Instagram: @bobbierichfineart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobbie.rich.9
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bobbierichfineart
• Other: www.saatchiart.com/BobbieRich

Image Credits