Ricky’s creativity and style are strongly influenced by his father, uncle and brother. His paintings are inspired by the rich colors and pictorial scenes of such notables as David Hockney, Diego Rivera and Paul Gauguin. Stylistically he derives motivation from avant-garde artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, and Julian Schnabel as well the unconventional trend setting graffiti art of Banksy. Ricky spent numerous hours as a child in the ceramics studio at Scripps College with his father who was an student of Don Wright and Paul Soldner, the Father of American Raku. During this time, he was indoctrinated in “California School” style ceramics and later developed his treatment of modern ceramics combining the non-conventional abstract style of Soldner and Peter Voulkos with traditional functionality. He has used many different firing methods and techniques, but prefers the ancient eastern Raku firing process.
Inspirited by his travels and artistic influences, Ricky developed his own unique style. His work captures the iconographic settings and themes of California scenery and the mood of informal social gatherings. His paintings deliver an impressionistic rendering of his surroundings and emotions using powerful dry brush strokes and bold brilliant colors to visualize a statically flowing movement on the canvas. His paintings evoke a sense of spontaneity delivering the essence of the scene, moment or emotion he is transferring to the canvas.
Ricky and his father Richard own the gallery, Martinez Gallery, in The Old Packing House in Downtown Claremont, California. He has a loyal following for his work and heads a group of working artists in his local area. He provides weekly and monthly demonstrations for art enthusiast at his gallery and other art venues in the Los Angeles area. Ricky has demonstrated and shown his paintings at the Padua Hills Art Fiesta- Claremont Museum of Art; La Quinta Arts Festival, Palm Desert, California; the ICON Gallery in Manhattan Beach, California as well as hosted and participated in the monthly art fairs for the cities of Claremont and Pomona, California. He has presented his art throughout California at several museums, galleries and shows; receiving numerous awards for his artistic style.
Inspirited by his travels and artistic influences, Ricky developed his own unique style. His work captures the iconographic settings and themes of California scenery and the mood of informal social gatherings. His paintings deliver an impressionistic rendering of his surroundings and emotions using powerful dry brush strokes and bold brilliant colors to visualize a statically flowing movement on the canvas. His paintings evoke a sense of spontaneity delivering the essence of the scene, moment or emotion he is transferring to the canvas.
Ricky and his father Richard own the gallery, Martinez Gallery, in The Old Packing House in Downtown Claremont, California. He has a loyal following for his work and heads a group of working artists in his local area. He provides weekly and monthly demonstrations for art enthusiast at his gallery and other art venues in the Los Angeles area. Ricky has demonstrated and shown his paintings at the Padua Hills Art Fiesta- Claremont Museum of Art; La Quinta Arts Festival, Palm Desert, California; the ICON Gallery in Manhattan Beach, California as well as hosted and participated in the monthly art fairs for the cities of Claremont and Pomona, California. He has presented his art throughout California at several museums, galleries and shows; receiving numerous awards for his artistic style.