Episode 6 - Stillness Became My Greatest Tool as a Painter - Richie Carter

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RICHIE’S LINKS
https://www.richiecarterfinearts.com   / richiecarterfinearts     / richard.d.carter.9  

BOOK REFERENCE
“Steal Like an Artist” – by Austin Kleon

📝 Summary:
In this episode, Richie Carter shares his evolution as an artist, from his upbringing in rural Montana to studying painting at the University of Montana and eventually traveling to Paris to hone his plein air skills. Despite struggling with a conceptual art environment in school, Richie found direction through mentors like John Poon, Maggie Siner, and Daniel Keys.

The conversation dives into three key themes:

The Generosity of Artists – how the community is often open and willing to share hard-earned knowledge.
Painting from Life – the discipline and humility it builds.
Selling Artwork – starting small and local while growing your reach.
Richie also opens up about finding one’s voice as an artist, the value of experimentation, and the emotional rollercoaster of creating and sharing art. He and Mark discuss how kindness toward yourself, perseverance through the hard seasons, and a willingness to learn from others are critical parts of the journey.

🎯 Takeaways:
Be open to opportunities—they can change your path.
There are many paths to success: college, mentorship, workshops.
Learn the fundamentals: value, color, composition, atmospheric perspective.
Painting from life teaches humility and sharpens your eye.
Selling art often starts by showing work in your local community.
Artists are often generous with knowledge—don’t be afraid to ask.
Teaching can help solidify your understanding and connect with others.
You don’t have to “invent” your style overnight—let it evolve through influence and experience.
Your personal struggles often shape your most meaningful growth.
Be kind to yourself—especially when things feel difficult.

🔑 Keywords:
Richie Carter, artist journey, creativity, painting, realism, art education, artist challenges, plein air painting, Paris, art workshops, John Poon, Maggie Siner, Daniel Keys, generosity, artists sharing knowledge, painting from life, selling artwork, art community, artistic voice, artistic exploration, artistic experimentation, personal growth, art show