Plains artist named People's Choice

PLAINS – Rick Harter, of Plains, was recently named the Sanders County Arts Council’s People’s Choice artist for the second time with his painting Arlene’s Island. 

For Harter, painting has been described as the “happiest time of his life.” He recalled how therapeutic it is and felt that, when all else failed, he could always paint as a way to relieve stress or pressure. 

The painter’s career has been going for 55 to 60 years. Harter began pursuing art when he was very young beginning before he entered school. His path began in first grade with lots of drawing; for the first five years of school, he mostly drew, then started painting once he was in sixth grade.

“I did a lot of drawing before [first grade] and it developed from there,” he said.

After completing school, the young artist went to college and took yet more art classes; he wanted to major in the subject, but backed away from it because of the attitude of the time. He recalled how, in the 1960s, painters usually got redirected to other subjects when their talent was realized.

“If you painted anything that looked like anything, you were told to take a photography class,” Harter recalled.

Still, he has made sure to keep painting over the years. Most of his work has been done for himself, though he has sold a number of pieces as well. A number of Harter’s pieces can been seen in businesses around Plains.

Harter works mostly in acrylic paint, doing landscapes and other, similar pieces; though he emphasized he never does portraits. The Sanders County area is especially good for inspiration as the valley is plentiful in beautiful landscapes to paint.

The large painting that won Harter People’s Choice shows a span of river going through woodland with the waters going around a small island.

He recalled he started the painting at home, then brought it to an art show at the Old Paradise School to work on it during a demonstration at an art show. As he worked, another artist, a woman named Arlene, suggested he work the water to show an island in the river. He made the change and named the piece for the inspiring presence.

While the piece is now done, it was noted there can almost always be changes made to a piece. Harter noted he may still find stuff to work on.

“A painting is never really done,” he said. “I may look at it for a few months and go in and make a few changes.”

The first time Harter won People’s Choice was in 2014 for a painting called The Prairie, which was a valley reminiscent of where he grew up.

During some of his spare time, Harter also teaches painting. He helps his granddaughter with her work and he has a student in the fifth grade he has been mentoring who may be ready to display a piece in the next children’s art show. 

To other aspiring artists, Harter encourages people to draw constantly. He said the practice never hurts and one of the best things that could be done to get it was for a person to have a sketch pad and pencil with them at all times.

“Nothing like practice to improve your skills,” he said. “You really need drawing skills if you’re going to get into painting.”

Harter is still a very active painter and has no intention of slowing down. He said he plans to keep at it and hopes to “be painting till I die.”