About-History
This website shares paintings and photos of life underwater. The photos capture a moment in time and serve as models for the oil paintings. The oil paintings give permanent life to locations and animals that Richard has encountered during his dive career. The work presented on this website involves 5 disciplines:
Diving – Richard has been diving for over 50 years. He began at a time when pressure gauges for tanks were just being invented and Jacques Cousteau was still actively exploring. After receiving formal dive certification in 1972, Richard worked as a diver on oceanographic research ships to help pay for college. This was followed by some commercial diving, installation of offshore platforms and underwater pipelines. The last 35 years have been spent exploring the oceans of the world as a recreational diver.
Underwater photography – Richard began underwater photography in 2007, when digital cameras were starting to be adapted with underwater housings. At that time, many divers were still using 36-shot rolls of Kodak film. Initially the photos memorialized his dive trips. These photos are now being used to transform into the oil paintings appearing on this website.
Oil Painting – While photos can capture and freeze a scene, they generally appear two-dimensional. Paintings can give additional life and depth to an underwater landscape. Richard has had the benefit of being married over 50 years to a professional artist – www.MichelleLentz.com. She has been providing valuable instruction and sharing the use of her studio. He began oil painting in September 2023.
Oceanography/Marine Biology – Richard studied and worked in marine biology at Syracuse University under W.D. Russell-Hunter editor of the Biological Bulletin, the Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, CA, and the U. of Rhode Island. This background has been very important for his underwater photography and painting.
Good Health – None of this could have taken place without the benefit of good health. Working underwater, whether photographing fish or doing construction is a dangerous activity. While most divers retire from diving by the age of 50, Richard continues to dive at 73.