Born in Santa Monica, California, Ron Riddick became a painter of the southwest, doing a range of subjects including cowboys, Indians and still life. His art was encouraged by his father who was an art director for a major corporation. As a kid, Ron growing up in southern California, was enamored of Roy Rogers and western movies. He studied extensively at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and then worked as a commercial artist. His life changed when he enrolled in a painting class by Sergei Bongart, who freed him to paint for himself instead of clients and to strive for art that is emotional and touches the soul. In 1979, Ron moved to Arizona and in October, 1997, was elected to the Cowboy Artists of America. His studio is a 5000 square foot building ten miles east of Tucson. He has one studio for teaching, an important part of his life, and another for himself. His wife, Natalie, handles the business affairs of his career. With plein-air easel, he frequently attends roundups. He tries very hard not to get stereotyped because he thinks art should reflect life, which is a rich composite. In 2000, Riddick won the Frederic Remington Award at the Prix de West, Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, for his painting of two Lakota Sioux sisters, "Lakota Water Maidens.” Riddick was awarded a gold medal for his gouache painting, Prairie Storm Coming" at the 37th Annual (2002) Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum.