Meet Richard Trumbull | Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Trumbull and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
“I was a practicing clinical psychologist when I was drawn to painting. It felt like a perfect counter balance to my “day job”. Although an essential part of doing psychotherapy is being present, I found that there was a wonderful difference in the kind of ‘being present’ I experienced while standing in front of a painting, working. When I could fall into the moment it was only seeing, no thinking. And because painting was not an important source of income, exhibitions and sales, the “business” of painting, seemed to flow naturally from those kinds of moments, slowly at first and then with some momentum.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Initially I painted representationally, portraiture and landscapes, influenced by Impressionists and their interest in painting light. After a while (years) I found that, for me, abstracted realism packed more of a punch. The Feeling of a place, of a face, came through more directly when the painting became abstracted and not locked into representational truth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Torrey Pines Beach. Astonishing: always the same, always changing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Lela Harty, a graduate of Chicago Art Institute, painter and gallery owner, taught me how to see.

Website: Richardtrumbull.com

Instagram: Richard Trumbull