Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rick J. Delanty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rick J., really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My upbringing with my parents was one of loving care, of encouragement and support. I felt that, and early on I wanted to bring that to others. In addition, I realized the value of education, and of self-study. In high school, I was encouraged by my cross country and track coach–in my art class, I was discouraged, and I felt the difference. In college, I wanted always to be on top of my studies, so I chose a single room in the dorms so I could better concentrate. I learned to study on my own. I became more purposeful about observing what was around me. I took my “dream” courses along with my required academics, in drawing and painting. In cross-country and track, I was encouraged by my coach, even though I was a “walk-on” (without scholarship) in both sports.
When it came time to decide what I wanted to do, I decided I wanted to encourage others, and teaching seemed the most obvious to me as a profession that did so. I applied across the state of California for secondary positions, received one interview, and was hired at San Clemente High School. Although my first courses as high school faculty were in English literature, I was granted my wish by the school principal to become art faculty with the retirement of the art department’s chairman, which allowed me to continue painting part-time. As an arts instructor, I was able to teach what I myself wanted to learn: and that was how to be a professional artist. I taught painting and drawing to high school students for 32 years, seeking to reveal to them the potential that I believe was within each one of them. I retired from teaching in 2006, so that I could paint full-time.
Today I am a professional fine artist, concentrating on landscape and still life painting. I have taught adult plein air workshops, and have served as a mentor with several arts organizations. Looking back, I realize that I was born to follow in this profession, live in this place, marry my loving wife, and work toward accomplishing the purpose for which God put me on this planet: to praise the glory of His creation, and to encourage others to pursue what they believe to be their gifts
A quote by Kobe Bryant continues to inspire me:”The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
It is an honor and a privilege to be an artist, to bring joy and beauty into the world, and to bless others with the creations of one’s hands. There is no feeling like it, to impact someone so emotionally, that they might cry, purchase your work, or even change something about the way they live. I view my job as though I am a “professional observer,” paid (even!) to see Beauty wherever it is, and bring it back in a painting. For me, there is no better career…there is no better life!
I paint God’s Creation, the landscape primarily. As a fine artist, I see my job as a creator of Beauty, that reflects the beauty that is in the world, but which reveals even more than that. As Paul Klee said, “Art does not reproduce the visible, it makes visible.” The job of the artist is to see through, behind and underneath the apparent, to discern the spirit of Life that underlies all things.
In Scripture (Romans 1: 19-20), I find this thought that drives all of my work: “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
The design of heaven itself is in the things that are around us–we just need to look more closely to see them. That’s my job–and I fully appreciate doing it.
This coming year, I will be creating larger work with heaven in mind: that earth is a reflection of heavenly places that I will someday see, in Eternity. Mood, movement and mystery will be my criteria in selecting subject matter.
It appears that my work will be represented by a new gallery this year, and I have just come on board as co-chairman for the Orange County Chapter of the California Art Club. This will put me in contact with new artists, new markets, and new ideas to assist in the evolving of my work. Travel will play a role in that evolution, as well as working with new subjects, such as the landscape of Alaska. I will also be returning to the use of two mediums I employed formerly, namely pastel and watercolors. I imagine that all of these together will be avenues by which I will create new, exciting and powerful artworks.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Never give up. No matter what people say, it’s important to know who you are, what you stand for, and what the best way is to accomplish what you set out to do. Perseverance and persistence
2 Believe in yourself, in training and past practice. Don’t think you can’t do something just because you never have.
95% of what we worry about is never actualized.
3 Surround yourself with like-minded people, people who want what you want: a better world, opportunities to fulfill your potential, people who give and who love.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Considering my father, he demonstrated daily the importance of dedicating yourself to a vision, developing a plan, and then following all the way through. As an architect and builder, he showed me what it meant to be a professional and a provider.
Considering my mother, I believe I am doing today what she had shown me so early on, in our walks around the neighborhood as a small boy. She showed me the beauty in everything, the inter-relationship of all the “parts” of nature, the enjoyment one could experience in observing, discovering, in being still. My life as an artist is a direct outgrowth of those lessons. Even today, I consider myself to be a professional observer, and am in constant awe of the wonder of Life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.delantyfineart.com
- Instagram: @rickj.delanty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickjdelanty
Image Credits
Photos: Rick J. Delanty, Lisa Delanty (Rick painting on beach), Lynn Delanty (Rick standing next to single framed large painting)
