Biography
Randy was born in Roswell and lives to tell about it sans anything to do with aliens. After a BA at UNM he served two years in the Peace Corps in a free Afghanistan and then travelled with a backpack for six months through India, Nepal, and from Kenya up to Cairo. Next came a tumultuous time in chaotic Iran. During a 21-year career as a Foreign Service Officer he lived in Istanbul, Ankara, London, Belize City, and Washington, DC. These experiences gave him the opportunity to explore the world’s museums both great and small and exposed him to sights and sounds that influence his art. Now that he has returned home to New Mexico he says all those experiences combined with the beauty and mystery of New Mexico color his painting. In 2016-2017, the NM Philharmonic featured his music series on each evening’s program. His work has also been on the cover of the NM Bar Bulletin five times and count be found in dozens of private collections from Hawaii to New York.
Artist Statement
Since 2004, I have been using mostly acrylics with some oil pastel highlights on a variety of different papers and mat board instead of canvas. I like painting intimate pieces that fit into the average home or office. I use a combination of different styles and motifs. I may start off doing a landscape and then do something totally abstract. During the Covid lockdown when I was inside all day long memories of my travels coalesced with the Southwest soil and air to become what I call imaginary landscapes.
In photography I love reflections, architecture, and store windows, especially mannequins. These have been themes that have captured my imagination throughout my travels. For the most part I am a self-taught artist and I have taken a few UNM Continuing Education and Harwood classes. I feel that my art is an autobiography.
