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

Rick , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

How did you learn to do what you do? Art has always been a passion of mine. It started when I was very young. When I was in elementary school, I looked up to my older sister who was in high school. As I would watch her draw, I would be amazed at her skill and I would try and emulate her talent. My parents fostered my love of art and would give me drawing pads, drawing pencils, and instructional books as Christmas gifts. My drawing skills improved over time. I ended up obtaining a scholarship to study Art at Salt Lake Community College. From there, I attended the University of Utah. It was not until college that I actually began my love of oil painting.

Painting with oils was a bit of a struggle at first. I spent years trying to figure it out. I read all kinds of books and watched videos on oil painting instruction which helped me. However, the biggest gain in my skill came from attending workshops of other artists that I admired. From these workshops, I was able to get to know other artists. And I was able to learn from some of my favorite artists personally in their studios. Being around other established artists helped me to see things a bit differently. They helped to correct the poor habits and mistakes I was making. What I love about being an artist is that I am still a forever student and I am constantly trying to improve and learn. I think I will continue to take workshops and learn from other artists, as there is always something to learn. It is amazing at times to remember how my mindset was 20 years ago. I thought I knew how to paint so well. However, the more I learn and study, the more I realize I still have much further to go. I love the journey. I enjoy seeing how my work has evolved and progressed over the years.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
Knowing what I know now, I would have reached out to other artists much earlier in my career. I would like to have been mentored by established artists from the beginning. This guidance and coaching would have ‘fast-tracked’ my skill level. And I would have been able to skip the many years of struggling with bad painting habits.

What skills do you think were most essential?
Drawing skills, plus learning to see color and values are the most essential. Fortunately, I started with a strong drawing background. In college, learning to draw accurately was drilled into me. I learned to love drawing. A professor explained to me, that you can’t improve a painting by painting better if the drawing does not work. The painting comes second to a strong drawing and design.

The second essential skill is learning to see accurate colors and values. Photos are a great tool to work with when painting. However, colors and values in a photo tend to lie. I have spent many hours painting the horse ‘live’, as this was a great practice taught to me by my mentors. This has helped me understand light, value, and color. Painting from ‘life’ forces you to study and focus on what you actually see in your subject that cameras cannot capture. The hours of painting horses outdoors helped me see accurate colors and how the light and shadow form the anatomy of the horse. With this practice and knowledge, I am able to paint more accurately in the studio with photos as aids.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I think earlier in my career, I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. With the guidance of mentors and workshops, I was able to unlock new approaches to painting and the way of seeing. The biggest obstacle that stood in the way of learning was my lack of ambition – not being proactive enough to seek guidance and coaching in the beginning. I am still learning this lesson, and I feel I have a long way to go. I am continuing to learn and receive instruction. Other things that stand in the way of excelling were family and other obligations. My family is my first priority and demands much of my time. It is challenging to balance family, work, and other obligations.

Rick , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

how you got into oil painting? Studying Art in college is what got me interested in oil painting.
What you think sets you apart from others artists?
One thing that may set me apart from other artists is that I tend to paint quickly. However, this might not be a positive thing because I tend to be messy in the process. This approach has caused some heartache for my wife. I’ve been known to get oil paint pretty much all over the house, and I don’t even know how I do it! She is extremely kind, loving, and supportive and keeps me going even when times are tough. I have great support from my spouse and my loved ones. They have encouraged me along this journey. I am blessed to have them as great anchors in my life.
What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about your work/ etc.
I am proud of how the style of my painting has evolved. The approach to my work is to capture the realness and likeness of my subjects, while also providing aesthetic appeal in the paint application itself. I also want others to know the passion I have for my artwork. My body of work is painted with emotion and nostalgia. It is created to connect with people, places, and time.
where the reader will get to know about you and your brand/organization/etc
People can find out more about me on my website at www.RickKennington.com. I also spend a great deal of time creating content on Instagram @RickKennington. By following me there, people can see what I am currently working on. People can also find me on Facebook by searching for ‘Rick Kennington Fine Art’. Anyone interested in my artwork can also email me at RickKennington@gmail.com

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing I tell people about my journey as an artist is that over the years if I had invested as much energy into my artwork into something that was more lucrative I would be extremely wealthy and retired by now. I say that tongue and cheek, but it may be challenging for others to understand the real struggle and sacrifice that artists go through to move along in their field. However, there is great joy and satisfaction in creating and seeing the positive effects it has on others.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I always want my artwork to be rewarding and fun for me. I want to stay clear of having my art become similar to a 9-5 job that I dread or having my work become a burden. My main goal is to always be learning and evolving as this has brought a lot of meaning to my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RickKennington.com
• Instagram: @RickKennington
• Facebook: RickKenningtonFineArt
• Other: Email: Rickkennington@gmail.com