Ric Nelson

I am a self-taught artist, exploring the use of multiple mediums and styles to narrate my story. The beginning of my artist journey began with music. As a self-taught guitarist, I wrote and performed musically for over 40 years. As I continued to explore my self-expression, I also turned towards the visual arts as another inspiring source. It was not as a replacement for my music, but as way to visualize my thoughts and moods. It allowed me to express the acoustical influences that inspired me in the music like the nuances in musical scores and rhythmic patterns to a more in-depth visceral experience in the visual work.

Currently, I work in mix media. Glass, acrylic, spray enamel, wood, wire, and even candle soot are frequently employed to produce the physical interpretations of my thoughts, which also highlight my creative process. Among my visual art influences are painter Gerhard Richter and video artist Bill Viola for their conceptual processes and aesthetic influences. As of late, I am also inspired by the amazing community of artists in the Austin area— this sense of the creative community and the organic sensibility of artists growth.