Artist Statement – Rick HamiltonI paint stories. I’m drawn to people who work with their hands—lobstermen, dancers, folks who put in real physical effort every day. There’s something beautiful about that kind of dedication, and I try to bring it to life with bold colors, layered textures, and a little humor. I hide a cat in every painting—it started as a joke and just stuck. My process is pretty loose and intuitive. Sometimes I make amess or bubble the paint with a heat gun by accident—and I just roll with it. Those “mistakes” often end up being my favorite parts. In the end, I just want my work to feel alive, joyful, and a little surprising. Bio – Rick HamiltonI’m a self-taught painter living in Portland, Maine. I didn’t go to art school—I found my way here through a bunch of different jobs, including two intense weeks as a lobsterman (never again!). I started painting years ago after a little girl outside my apartment asked me to paint with her. That moment lit the spark—and I’ve been painting ever since.These days, I focus on scenes that mean something to me—people working hard, Maine landscapes, small moments of joy. I love painting big and often do live sessions where people can watch the process unfold. I always sneak a cat into every painting (even though I’m allergic), so if you have one of my pieces, there’s a feline in there somewhere. My art is about connection—between people, place, and the unexpected things that make us smile.