Richard Alther paints at his Fort Cassin Point residence in Ferrisburgh, Vermont where his studio is surrounded by water: the convergence of Otter Creek and Lake Champlain. He began oil painting at ten years old, and continued throughout his schooling at Cornell University and professional life in New York City, from abstract palette knife expressions to portraits of family and friends. During his two-year residence in London he attended the Heatherley School of Fine Art, concentrating on portraiture. Upon moving to Vermont in 1967 he began work in watercolors, but continued his oil portraits. He studied with Lawrence Goldsmith, in Fairfax and Monhegan, Maine. In regard to his present work, Richard offers the following:

"I think of watercolors as fleeting impressions. With oil, the same original inspiration becomes a statement, evolving over weeks."

"When the sky is being dramatic, I run outdoors. When it's sullen, I stare through a window. I make a quick pencil sketch. These sketches pile up, but there are always a few that stick to the ribs, and beckon to be taken seriously."

"I have a ring-side seat at this endless show of light and color."