Maybe its their glasses, a shirt, a hairstyle, a dress – maybe it’s a watch or shoes. Their accent, their fragrance, their haircut, their tats, their lunch, their dog, their drink, their smile, where they are working – these little things capture me, and compel me to speak with everyone and anyone. When I’m pumping gas, drinking a cup of coffee, walking my dog through the park – everywhere I go, I see the light in people and want to share in it. I know you – like many others – are thinking, okay that’s crazy.

You know, everyone has a unique story, one about faith, one about love, one about pain – to me it doesn’t matter where I go or who it is , I just want to hear their story. The world is so beautiful, flowing with vibrant, varied colors, that we can all get lost in if we just take the time to look around and embrace our surroundings. This collection of abstract paintings was brought to life with passion, anguish, and desolation. Each painting has a name and a story.

Thank you to my kids, Lauren, Danny, Lyric, Noah, Kayla, and Melody, who – no matter how grown and professional they get – still have to hear my crazy stories. Thank you to those who let my curiosity open a doorway to the colorful tales of your lives.

Rikko Ollervidez

(just some kid from the southside, riding his bike)