Get Off My Property: Drawings - Paintings - Photography by Rick Caplan

My interest in art is the consequence of being bored in high school. Instead of paying attention in class, I doodled on my desk, in my textbooks, and on the shirt or blouse of the person sitting in front of me. Quizzes and tests were turned in with oddball characters drawn in the spaces where the answers should be. I still remember my English teacher, Miss Agnes Tuttlemeyer, yelling, "Richard Caplan! Can't you, at least, pretend you are interested in what goes on in my class?" "Miss Tuttlemeyer," I coolly replied, "first of all, only my mother can call me Richard. Second, would it not be easier for both of us if it were you who pretended I was interested?" If I recall, the next week was spent after school in detention.

Many years passed without a pencil, pen, or marker in hand. Then, unfortunately, I found myself stuck at home, healing from an illness, and once again, boredom drove me to draw. A friend came over to visit, saw my work, and suggested I try painting and charcoal. I took his advice. Since then, I have also picked up a camera and an iPad. I now draw and paint regularly, throwing in a little photography and image manipulation.