Rick Hamilton is a self-taught painter based in Portland, Maine, whose vibrant, story-driven work celebrates hardworking people, joyful accidents, and the everyday poetry of Maine’s visual culture. His paintings blend bold color, layered textures, and whimsical details—including his signature hidden cat motif—with themes of physical labor, movement, and connection. “I paint stories,” he says. “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.” Rick’s path to art was anything but conventional. He came to painting later in life, after a career that included many jobs—among them a grueling two-week stint as a lobsterman. His first foray into painting began with a spontaneous invitation from a neighborhood child, and he’s been creating ever since. Entirely self-taught, he brings an intuitive and open-ended approach to the canvas. “My process is pretty loose,” he says. "I paint over things and make changes as I go...‘mistakes’ often end up being my favorite parts." Rick’s work often features Maine lobstermen in their iconic orange overalls, dancers mid-leap, or quirky architectural scenes—each composition shaped by curiosity, play, and community. In recent years, Rick has expanded his work to include abstract forms and blended subject matter. He remains committed to keeping his work accessible, joyful, and deeply rooted in human connection. “My art is about connection—between people, place, and the unexpected things that make us smile.” If you own a Rick Hamilton original, look closely: a cat is always hiding somewhere in the painting, waiting to connect with you and make you smile. Learn more about Rick’s creative process on Radio Maine.