"When I am not in my studio working on large-scale European scenes, still lifes, and landscape paintings, you can find me on location gathering reference materials, from the backcountry of Montana to the cobbled streets of various European cities," Carter explains. "I love to travel and meet people of different cultures, taking inspiration from a myriad of sources. Painting is a universal visual language that breaks down barriers, and I hope my work can serve to cultivate authentic human connection. My goal is to create impactful, striking, yet simplistic images that evoke emotion and foster a dialogue between the rich tradition of realism and the contemporary reality of our time."
Carter's love of Europe began in 2003, inspired by its history, architecture, and multiculturalism. From 2009 to 2010, he lived and worked in Northern France at the Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens, finding his muse in France. Currently based in Montana, Carter relies on his plein air studies, memories, and sketches to create his paintings, resulting in a tonal aesthetic reminiscent of painter and writer Russell Chatham (1939-2019).
In 2024, Carter's debut solo exhibition, "Se Préparer," was held at Arcadia Contemporary from May 9 to May 26, 2024. The exhibition featured 22 new oil paintings that provided a visual survey of Carter's memories and experiences from his travels throughout Paris. Each painting served as a chapter in a larger narrative constructed through his repeated engagements with the city, particularly a vista in Montmartre (XVIII Arrondissement). Carter described these works as autobiographical, exploring themes of memory, grief, and transformation, as well as universal experiences.
Carter has won awards at several plein air events, including the bronze medal at the Oil Painters of America’s Western Regional show in 2022. His work has been featured in magazines like Fine Art Connoisseur, Plein Air Magazine, and Southwest Art’s 21 under 31. His paintings range from the landscapes of his home and youth to the streets and rooftops of Paris, drawing viewers into an emotive experience through his tonal, muted palette and focus on liminal times of day.
Richie Carter (b. 1988)
BFA The University of Montana (2012)