about

Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve had a rather curious fascination with nature. My mother would routinely interrogate me about what manner of creature I was bringing into her house. Whether butterflies, bird nests, worms, turtles, or frogs—if it fit in my pocket, a box, or a bag, it was coming home. I was an 8-year-old Stanley & Livingston, exploring backyard gardens and neighborhood creeks, hiding in ambush with a net and a jar. Most kids had lemonade stands, I had a nature stand, selling beetles, butterflies, and bird feathers. My parents were quite tolerant!  

It was during family road trips from Iowa to Wyoming that I was first introduced to the rivers and mountains of the Rockies. I eventually attended the Colorado Institute of Art, and it was there in Denver that I began my career as an illustrator. I received my first national recognition for a series of wildlife posters commissioned by the American Humane Society. I later attended the American Illustrators Workshop program at Marymount College in New York. Shortly after I was awarded the Orvis Outdoor Award for Art & Literature in recognition of a series of writings and editorial paintings on Brown Trout and fly fishing. 

When asked, I tell people I think of myself as a peculiar sort of visual journalist, joyfully playing and reinterpreting what I see in nature. My art reflects a variety of tools and media. I enjoy grabbing whatever is closest at the time and begin creating. I’ve carried a camera around for the better part of my life. My photography is simply a way to capture what I see—those brief magical moments and subjects that make me smile. I hope you enjoy spending time with my creations as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you. 

Today, I work from my studio on a small farm outside Peachtree City, Georgia, where I resides with my incredibly open-minded wife Laura, along with a cadre of creatures. I can be reached most anytime at rickanwyl@gmail.com or at 404 626 6504, call or drop me an email and I’ll get right back to you. Prints and select originals are available, and I do occasionally take on commissions.