there is so much

there always has been

Richard's thumbnail sketch

Rich was more than anyone could contain or comprehend. I would say he wasn't that unique. He surrounded himself with his art and music and people that he wanted to share those things with. Not so unusual. 

Rich had real talent and passion. He seemed to draw it from the air, the water, the earth, but it was really the spirit that sustained him. 

His pen hit the paper with authority. His voice and guitar solid with conviction. Rich worked. He never rested. Sometimes it was scary. Rich thought his reserve was bottomless. Ready to be called out.

Rich was just out of High School when I first met him, preparing to enter art school. We were all kids then and he was like a rockstar. Everyone was in love with him. His heart was huge. 

We wanted the depths of life, not just the peaks. As friends we were able to share growing up in his sometimes dark and jagged shadow. We wanted to protect him. He loved us too.

Rich was a learner. Rich learned everyday how much work was to be done. He listened to his mentors. Rich needed them and he knew it. He was determined to master his art.