American painter Richie Carter hails from a rural community in Northwest Montana, and his paintings have a moody, calming air that I just love. He paints large scale still life and landscapes in oil on linen, and he seems to enjoy his location scouting trips every bit as much as he does making art. That sounds like a lovely, peaceful life, and it seems remarkably introspective for someone who’s only in his mid-thirties.

“When I am not in my studio working on [my] paintings, you can find me out on location gathering reference materials, from the backcountry of Montana, to the deserts of the South West, or on the cobbled streets of various European cities.  I love to travel and meet people of different cultures, taking inspiration from a myriad of sources.  Painting is a universal visual language that breaks down barriers, and I hope through my own work, it can serve to cultivate authentic human connection.  My goal is to make impactful, striking, yet simplistic images that evoke emotion and allow a dialogue to take place between the rich tradition of realism and the contemporary reality of our time.” Richie Carter interview with Southwest Art

It hasn’t escaped me that my current taste for art may very well reflect my need for peace in this currently-chaotic world, but whatever the reason, I find Richie Carter’s work (and lifestyle) beautiful and very soothing.

You can follow Richie Carter Fine Arts on his website and on Instagram and Facebook.