Richard Allen Norenberg
Art medium(s): I have been fortunate to work in many mediums. In my youth, I purchased a Kodak X-15 camera with money earned from my paper route. I later studied film and ceramics at Ealing Art College in London, England.
Today, I write, paint, and compose video shorts. While I am still a shutterbug, I am now a focused painter and spend 40-50 hours a week in the studio. I am currently studying figurative work, which is beginning to emerge in my process.
Were you always interested in following a creative path? My creativity was recognized in grade school, and it was without question my creative skills that guided my life path. I studied art from a young age and spent four years in high school seated behind a drafting desk, taking as many art classes as possible.
What does your “day-in-the-life” look like? My day begins by grounding myself through an integrated experience that engages all five senses—sometimes it’s as simple as a cup of coffee… After a solid rest and morning routine, my day is filled with study, reading, time in the studio, and the occasional therapy client, as I continue to provide counseling. I socialize when possible and stay close to the people who understand and care for me. Love is the best care we can give, and I try to care for myself so I can care for others.
Where do you get your creative inspiration? I am inspired by nature and the life experiences I am having. The estimate that each of us has roughly a one-in-four-billion chance of existing still amazes me… Much of my art grows out of interactions with people and time spent in nature. After an inspiring conversation, I often return to a blank canvas to try to capture the energy that was created.
Why do you love what you do? I love what I do because it is consistent with my values and is the byproduct of decades spent envisioning and nurturing who I am becoming.
One thing most people don’t know about being an artist, in your opinion: Most people don’t realize just how disciplined and well-studied a serious artist must be to help create a culture that creates other artists.
Early bird or night owl? My mother once told me that I “burned the candle at both ends.” I sleep about six hours a night and wake without an alarm. My creative energy shifts throughout the day. I prefer to write, draw, and read in the morning, while evenings are best for studying and painting.
Last movie you watched or book you read: “Watership Down.”
Is the glass half full or half empty? The glass exists metaphorically for me and is neither half full nor half empty. It represents how much of life I have experienced in each moment. I want a full life, but I am also careful about what I choose to fill it with.
What makes you happiest? I try to avoid falling into the happiness trap, because life is made up of many different experiences. As a Gestaltist, I see emotions as “energy in motion.” Channeling emotional energy so it connects me to the experience I am in helps me feel more human.
Happiness is something I enjoy, but it can be fleeting. Chasing the idea that I must always be happy often leads to unhappiness.
Find Richard on Facebook under The Untrained Painter and on Instagram @gestalt1962
