We have many talented artists and creatives living and working in our Farmington/Farmington Hills community and our weekly interview series, sponsored by City Life Realty, will introduce you to some of them.
Today we feature artist Richard Adams.
When did you first get started in the arts?
Art has been an important part of my life. My earliest memory is my mother using letters from the alphabet to draw a picture of a pig. The purpose my mother had for doing this was for me to learn the alphabet. An M was used for the ears and two W’s for the legs and feet. Several other letters were used to make other parts of the pig. It seemed that after that I always was interested in art.
… each finished piece is a steppingstone to the next project.
Who has been a mentor to you along the way?
There were two important people in developing my interest in art. Jan Field and Michael Zarathka both were instructors that I met in the early 1970s when I was an art student at Eastern Michigan University.
Are you a member of any local or regional arts group?
I am a member and President of the Farmington Art Foundation, a club composed of artists in the Farmington area. I also am a member of the Downriver Council of the Arts.
Has your art appeared in any city programs or events, such as the Public Art Program at City Hall or Art on the Grand?
My artwork has been displayed in Farmington Art Foundation’s Spring Shows. I am a past and current contributor to the Farmington Hills Public Art Program at City Hall and my art has been shown at both Farmington Libraries. Other nearby venues that my paintings have been exhibited are Downriver Council of the Arts, Livonia Exhibition of Fine Arts, Wayne State Alumni Submissions and the Northville Art House. I also was chosen to display my work in different Art Prize venues in Grand Rapids.
Can you share a favorite quote about art or life?
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.” —Maya Angelou.
This suggests to me that each finished piece is a steppingstone to the next project.
(Are you an artist or creative living in Farmington/Hills? We’d like to feature you and your work here, too. Download our questionnaire and return it to info@kickstartfarmington.org.)
