Visual Art – Ottawa

Rick’s passion for creating art began in his early teens through his parent’s home-based ceramic business. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba, and was raised in a Military family. Upon the completion of High School, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Military. He spent the balance of his life moving every three years, which gave Rick the insatiate desire to explore. In 1991, at the age of 28, his never-ending devotion to the creative process led him to begin expressing his life experiences through oil on canvas, with a focus on portrait and figure. Rick’s work and subject matter is, however, as diverse as his life experiences, and his style has developed as he experiments with different theories, techniques and ideas. Rick enjoys travel and has visited many countries in Europe as well as Africa. In 2007, he spent eight months volunteering for the Canada Africa Community Health Alliance in Kilema, Tanzania, where he spent his spare time with the children of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children Program, creating art. Rick’s love for discovery and investigation of new ideas has led him to also incorporate welding to create works of mixed media using steel, wire, and fabric on canvas, as well as steel sculpture. His main adoration and influence is that of the life and work of Pablo Picasso. Although Rick is not currently represented by a gallery, he exhibits his work through community group exhibitions, private showings and studio tours, as well as through his website. Many of his works are held in private collections in Canada, Germany, Australia and the USA. In 2007, Rick was the recipient of the Ted Marshal Memorial Award with the Ottawa School of Art. He has facilitated art programs and workshops for the National Art Gallery of Canada (on wire sculpture during The Great Parade Exhibit of Picasso/Calder in 2004), The Correctional Service of Canada, for the Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Program in Kilema, Tanzania, and in his private studio. In September of 2018, Rick left the Government after 25 years of service and embarked on a new career as a full-time artist. Rick, his partner and puppy live in Ottawa, Ontario. Please visit his website for more information at www.rickmadore.ca