Hi Richard! Thanks for joining us. Your watercolors feel like living memories—vibrant, tangible, and full of story. From coastal journeys to garden blooms, your work has a way of honoring everyday beauty with striking realism. We’re excited to step into your world and discover the stories behind your art.

1. Let’s start at the beginning—what first drew you to watercolor, and how did your journey as a self-taught artist begin?

It was actually Bob Ross the American painter artworks paint by numbers that I purchased at a craft store at the age 13 of a painting of a covered bridge that inspired me, and my 1^st pencil drawing of a fishing boat going out to sea that I won 3^rd place in the county fair in my home town of Grants Pass, Oregon. In my last year in high school I started taking the craft more seriously, and in 2001 I won 3rd place in the Keizer Oregon Keizer Iris Festival of my White Iris in watercolor titled “Moment In Time”. Its funny now thinking about it. I brought my mother with me to the opening of the show in the End Mount Gallery in Keizer Oregon at that time, and every one was huddled around the painting when we arrived. I thought, oh my word, did the paint frame break, or something, but that was not the case. They were all memorized by painting.  I knew then I hooked.

It’s amazing how a Bob Ross could spark such a lasting journey.  You’ve said, “If it’s real, then it’s beautiful.” How does this philosophy shape your approach to painting, and what does ‘real’ mean to you artistically?

This philosophy is shaped from Norman Rockwell, and Frank Lloyd Wright.  Both men were way ahead in their Illustrations and Design during the time they were alive.  Norman Rockwell Illustrations capture America. His paint titled “freedom from Want captures clearly what our family “Thanksgiving” was like, and the detail in his work is where I would like to think I am almost able to capture in my work.

Frank Lloyd Wright architectural designs were way ahead of the industry designers of that time. A lot of designers felt that they would never fly like “Fallingwater’s” museum in Mill Run, Pennsylvania is a very clear example why self-expression, and inspirations of an artist no matter what they are should be created. I see a lot of artist work that is so much better in my eyes I can only wish someday I will paint like them. Matthew McConaughey was once asked who was his mentor. Who did he look up to! He states it was him in 10 years from now, and 10 years after that. 

I have a painting that I painted in watercolor right after I finished the pencil drawing of the fishing boat going out to sea that I keep to look back at to see how far I have come, and it is amazing and astonishing how far I have come. The statement “If it’s real, then it’s beautiful “philosophy comes this approach in my work. I want people to be inspired, and moved from the work. I want it bring back that special moment in the past, or present that make them take a second look.

Real beauty lives in memory—doesn’t it? Your work often leans into themes of nostalgia—vintage cars, American flags, timeless coastlines. What draws you to these subjects, and what story are you hoping they tell?

This philosophy comes this approach in my work from my childhood. I lived in Astoria Oregon, and the cannon beach area all my live. I now live in the Camano Island area in Skagit County, which a lot like Astoria and cannon beach area. Vintage cars, American flags, timeless coastline draws me into that time when living in Astoria. The slower pace of live like the costal living brings me into the Beach Boys themes with vintage cars, and the American flags and the coastal living.

That nostalgic coastal atmosphere runs through your art. In “Browns Beach House” and “Woodies on the Warf”, there’s a strong surf culture vibe. Can you share more about your connection to that lifestyle and how it influences your art?

Sure.  Like the costal living in Astoria during the summer months I would go to Seaside Oregon where the main theme during the summer months was the Vintage cars, American flags. The car shows and the music of the Boy’s of summer the Beach Boys.  The “Browns Beach House” and “Woodies on the Warf along with Red Corvette draw me to surfer culture of that time. They are really fun to paint. I would say I had the most fun with painting them than any other paintings.

From surfboards to sails, your work seems to celebrate all kinds of journeys. Your painting “Sentimental Journey” captures the clipper ship Zodiac with breathtaking precision. What does this ship symbolize for you, and why did you choose to revisit it again in “Journey Home”?

The 1^st painting I did in Acrylic was “Journey Home of the Zodiac. I was doing a show last year a customer came to me and asked if I would paint it for her autistic son who does paints. It was my 1^st time using acrylic paint, and the design just jumped off the paper. I was hooked. “Sentimental Journey” captures the moment of a slow Sunday afternoon cruise in this class clipper ship. The ripples of water as the boat glides down the river I feel captures that moment of a slower time.

You bring the same sense of calm and wonder to your floral work, especially flowers like the iris in “Dawn Eternal” and the white bloom in “Destiny.” What emotions or memories do these floral subjects hold for you?

When me and my wife married 12 years ago, we received 12 Iris in a box as a wedding gift. Twelve years later 38 bud’s later I never had a chance to paint any flowers yet.

Camano Island and Mount Vernon have the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and every year they have the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and I want to release some work of the flowers growing in my garden at home for the shows. I did not realize how much a big hit they would be. The are totally fun to paint in Acrylic and watercolor. I have a lot of people requesting them and I am currently in the middle of doing more Tulips and Iris for them to purchase.

Your work speaks through its name too. “Aedenna,” meaning “lofty eagle,” presents a powerful name and imagery. What inspired this piece, and how do you choose names for your artworks?

The design on the back of the boat and the meaning behind the name is what inspired me.  I was in Anacortes WA two years ago and ran into the owner of this boat. She had it up for sale. I ask if she was ok with me painting it, and she said it was fine.  The rest is history. This paint has won 2nd place in the Stanwood Gallery Loft show, and was just very fund to paint. It was my very 1^st attempt at painting water in this manner. It really turned out well.

And it seems the public took notice of that passion too. You’ve exhibited in juried shows and earned recognition like the People’s Choice Award for Moment in Time. How have these moments of public appreciation impacted your confidence and growth as an artist?

Up to earning the award I just though I was not ready yet as a regional artist to show my work. Realizing I was receiving this award allow me jump into the Art Fairs with confidence and share my growth with other artist in the Skagit and Camano Island area where I live. I am living the dream. Really!

That turning point seems to have shaped your visual language too. Impressionistic realism is a beautiful balance between expression and detail. How do you decide when a piece is finished, when realism meets emotion?

You don’t that is thing. Even in the Paints I show in my shows I still see where things can be improved. Realizing this allows me to continue to improve on my skill like Matthew McConaughey once said. “Life is in a constant of motion. As artist we are constantly improving our craft.

It sounds like every painting is part of that ongoing journey. What’s your creative process like—from the first idea to the final brushstroke? Do you work from life, memory, or photographs?

I see something that catch my eyed a moment a picture. The key is to draw it as close as to the real picture before you paint it, and then paint light to dark while ensuring you capture all the individual features that make the picture look at a photograph.

And finally, Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

Never be afraid to pursue your dreams. I found out while in College I had Dyslexia.  Thought I could never do math to earn a degree in college let alone purse a career in Art. So for 14 years I didn’t. I was not until a co-work seen my work and said I need to take this seriously. So Three years later many, many, shows and Artist Award later I am living the dream. Listen to your heart and never say no. Do it! Make it real to you!

To see more of Richard Reed’s nostalgic and heartfelt artworks, follow his creative journey on his website, Facebook or visit his Biafarin artist profile. Each painting captures a moment in time—rich with emotion, memory, and a deep love for American life and coastal charm.