What does a person hope to find by reading another’s autobiography? No matter how many details I set forth here, you will never know what it is like to have been me. There have been times when I've noticed the most incredible things: a particular sunset on a camping trip, the look of a girl sleeping beside me, or the sound my band was making on stage one night. These things of beauty stun me because of their very temporary nature, and the fact that I, and I alone, have been allowed to witness it from my time-space. To try to pass these moments of sublime existence on to you readers would be futile, as you simply had to be there. I try to approximate as many of these moments with my art as I can, but I don't have the time and energy to create works for every moment. One must pick and choose, and eventually some beautiful moments will be lost with me.

The story my art tells can be found by looking at the rest of this web site. However, perhaps I can provide some background facts that will allow you to understand my art better by knowing what gave rise to it. Since this is a web site devoted to my art, I will skip over many of the more mundain details of my life to concentrate on those biographical events that most influenced my artistic activities.

Some time back, I came across this quote by philosopher Eric Hoffer: "That which is unique and worthwhile in us makes itself felt in flashes. If we don't know how to catch and savor the flashes we are without growth and without exhilaration." My art is my way to "catch and savor the flashes" of my life. Art, for me, is exhilaration, and I hope you can share some of that feeling with me.

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© 2000 by Rick Hines.
Material may not be used without the artist's written permission.