Rick was born in and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and has been called a "42 year old child prodigy". He began to draw and paint as a kid and into high school until he found another passion; golf. He went to Ohio State to pursue his interest in golf, where he had to choose a major, art being the obvious course. Completing four years of school, Rick went on to join the PGA Tour. After "not doing too well", he returned to Columbus, where he enrolled in the Masters program "because they gave me a place to paint and I really didn't have anything else to do".

For the last fifteen years, Rick has been living off of an assortment of odd jobs and his paintings. His work has maintained a fearless and fantastical nature throughout. Rick admits, "My education seems to be my biggest drawback. The folk art dealers have a hard time with me and the fine art people don't want to know. I just paint and let everybody else sort it out."