Rick Midler is an accomplished artist and creative director based in Brooklyn, NY, renowned for his intricate collages that skillfully camouflage decorative papers and juxtapose patterns. His work delves into the concept of “pareidolia,” blending an eye for animation with multi-cultural influences. Rick’s distinctive technique, inspired by Matisse and Japanese bonsai masters, showcases a meticulous scissor method that brings his vibrant pieces to life.
How did you get started in fine art?
I always drew. I guess I never stopped. I majored in visual communications in college and went into advertising as a career. I kept sketchbooks for ideas for campaigns and meeting notes and drew in the margins. A production studio I worked with invited me to show my enlarged drawings and had an opening reception for me in their offices. I met a group of graffiti artists whose work was being shown in galleries and began showing with them. My calligraphy style in ink seems to resemble graffiti linework. In 2009 I moved into my first studio and learned from the other artists in the building, including a curator who put me in my first real gallery. I started showing original ink on paper in galleries around DUMBO and the East Village. And from there, I began exhibiting at fairs and group shows all over the world. In 2020 I made a decision to take collage seriously, cutting decorative papers in scenes based on my sketches. I’m now aligned with various art organizations, directed an animated video for a Grammy Award winning album and was part of a residency in London hosted by Contemporary Collage Magazine.
Tell us a bit about your process
I start by creating a rough sketch on tracing paper. I select various decorative papers to set a palette. Then I cut elements (mostly with scissors) and position them on the canvas or board. Once I have an understanding of how the piece is shaping up I’ll start refining and gluing the cut elements. I’ll take a break in between various stages and build up the layers, keeping in mind balance, a sense of depth, an inkling of a story or a place – and with a freedom you can’t get anywhere else.
What makes a good artist?
A good artist funnels their emotions into a visual expression. They allow a dynamic interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind, technical skill, materials, and the unknown (a higher power, the universe itself). It doesn’t matter whether the work speaks to millions or just a few, as long as something in the final outcome makes somebody feel.
What sets you apart from other artists?
I’m deeply intentional about creating pieces that feel like real experiences—ones the viewer has never actually had. I want to evoke a sense of magic that mirrors the wonder woven into the world around us. I often use glitter in subtle, unexpected places on the canvas—much like how a dewdrop might catch the light on a leaf. These fleeting glimmers draw the eye and, together with the living quality of the work, invite the viewer to feel the quiet magic that surrounds us every day.
What advice would you give for those looking to start collecting fine art?
Surround yourself with what stirs the feeling you long for most—be it peace or something more shadowed. Gather art that ignites your imagination or awakens the urge to create
Rapid Fire:
What’s your favorite place(s) in NYC: Prospect Park in Brooklyn and any cozy French Bistro
What’s your favorite place(s) outside NYC: Anywhere with a lake and tall pine trees. I’ll also always look for secluded waterfalls.
Who are you favorite artists: James Jean, Elliott Green, Salvador Dali.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt: James Jean, Elliott Green, Salvador Dali.
What is your favorite thing about being an artist? I enjoy seeing a piece develop before my eyes. I like having a general idea of where I’m going but love to watch the journey unfold.
Visit Rick Midler’s website at: https://www.rickmidler.com/
Till next time…
Madelaine
