Richard Jansen has always been interested in painting and drawing. This interest was fostered by his parents and grandparents. It led to a career in art education.

Richard recently moved to Florida from the Hudson Vallery area of New York. He enjoys the relaxed lifestyle that comes with living on St. Petersburg Beach.

He graduated from the State University of New York with a BS in Art Education and Art History. He earned an MS Ed from BankStreet College of Education in New York and an Associates Ed. degree in Early Childhood Education from Crewe College of Education in Crewe, England. Nineteen years of his Thirty Eight years teaching career was spent teaching art. Richard taught third grade in New York's Hyde Park Central School District the remaining nineteen years.

He is a member of the Florida Fine Arts Guild, Student Art Club, Pinellas Art Society, Beach Art Center, Tampa Realistic Artists and Florida Watercolor Society.

An award winning artist, Richard has exhibited his work in many local galleries and venues. Until recently he was a featured artist at Finely Hall Gallery, Gulfport and Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. His work is in permanent collections throughout the United States.

Since his move to Florida, he has studied at the Gulf Coast Art Center with Florida Watercolor Society's Taylor Ilkin and Pat Weaver. He has studied with Cecile Moran White, Fred France, Ed Bookmeyer, Harold Johnson, Dick Hutchinson, Gerald Bommer, Tom Jones, Chuck Hager and Ron Ranson.

Having experienced all media, Richard is currently enjoying success with watercolor wash with ink, collage and watercolor. Richard says, "I didn't start painting with watercolor until after I retired 10 years ago. I'm still in the process of exploring, looking for a technique that is quick, fresh, loose and juicy. Get in and get out! I enjoy painting land and seascapes. Florida landscapes have become a specialty. Having worked with so many good instructors, I simply take what I can use from these experiences and apply them."