Santa Barbara painter Rick Stich has discovered his creative fluency in liquid. An avid surfer, Stich finds his inspiration in the color, reflection and movement of water and in its interplay with light and landscape. His swirling, gestural brushstrokes and vivid hues convey not only the illusionist forms and patterns seen both above and below the water but also expose the inter-connectedness between the real and abstract in nature. Ultimately, while it is water in all its manifestations that has provided Stich with a rich field for imagination and study, it is the interaction between humans and the natural world that he hopes to reveal.

Born in Glendale, CA, Stich has had exhibitions at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Carnegie Art Museum, Edward Cella Art & Architecture, L.A. Louver Gallery, and Ruth Shaffner Gallery. His paintings are held in numerous private and corporate collections, including Bank of America, Eli Broad Foundation, the Oakland Museum of Art and the Santa Barbara Museum.