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10 QUESTIONS WITH...................
Richard T. Slone
by Veronica Rosario/Art and Style Staff Writer

1 ::: Why are you an artist Richard?

Why am I an artist? Interesting question. I think I was born an artist. Nothing makes me happier than painting and without the freedom to paint or draw what and when I like, my life wouldn’t be my life, so to answer your question, I am an artist because I believe it is my reason to be alive. Even when I did other things to pay the bills, I was always an artist. Life is art, everything is eventually broken down into art.

+2 ::: Could you tell us some more about your paintings?

My paintings are my world, my fascination for colour, movement, expression and everything else. Each painting is exciting to me and no two paintings are alike. The journey of a painting is very satisfying to me, it’s like a fight that you eventually win (editors note: Slone is a former boxer who spent many years in the ring), I paint with many different mediums and each one has it’s good and bad. I try to pour all my soul into my paintings, anything less would leave me feeling like I betrayed myself and my art.

+3 ::: A lot of sports seem to be featured in your work. Does it have any special meaning for you?

Yes it does. Especially boxing, as a former fighter I know the emotions, dedications and risk of getting into that ring, all these emotions are still fresh in my mind, so painting boxers is perfect for me, I aim to captured more than what the average spectator can ever see. Whatever the subject may be I always try to go deeper and learn as much as possible so I can do justice when painting the final piece.

+4 ::: What artists have influenced you, and how?

Being a self-taught artist I was free to be myself and didn’t have the pressure of a teacher showing me the masters and explaining why they are so good. However, I was influenced by LeRoy Neiman, mainly because of our mutual friends and the fact that LeRoy painted boxing. I look up to Neiman and a few others, like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rockwell and George Romney.

+5 ::: What other interests do you have (besides painting)?

Art takes up most of my world, although I am still involved in boxing, I advise a few good fighters and am currently working on a book of short stories about the boxing business. I also enjoy reading, traveling, good cigars and good friends.

+6 ::: What inspires you to paint and how do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?

Anything can inspire me, something that suddenly catches my eye, usually it’s an event that I see that inspires me. Life in general is something very exciting and inspirations are endless. I have so many paintings inside my head that I want to put on canvas, I think I must have over a thousand vivid images in my head that I will eventually paint. Getting motivates is never hard for me, I love what I do.

+7 ::: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

The business isn’t hard for me, probably because I am used to the business side of things in pro sports. It can be distracting from the creative side, but I am a realist and know what it takes. It also means delegating to the right people and I have a good team.

+8 ::: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Painting and helping other artists and causes. I don’t know where I will be professionally, but as Bob Dylan once said “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.” If that’s true then I am already successful, because each day I paint and I can’t imagine anything better.

+9 ::: Could you talk about your latest series of paintings and what you are trying to achieve with them?

I have an exhibition in January that focuses on works I’ve done of African animals. So this is an important time for me and my painting. 8 of the animal paintings have already sold, so I have more work to do. Painting the animals is a new subject to me, but I love big cats and we’re currently negotiating a limited edition deal and we’re also trying to collaborate with a wildlife charity to help endangered animals.

+10 ::: Although you're only 31 years of age and still emerging, what advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Be passionate. Its not an easy life, but its a real life. Most importantly believe in yourself and never give up. Being an artist will allow you to do things with a freedom most people don't have the luxury of. Unless you become successful immediately you will live by your wits and initiative. Never give up, keep pushing forward. Always paint for yourself, the world will catch up.

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