The Singer, Acrylic on canvas, 24"W x 36"H

1994 was a year of change. Rick quit his job, moved to Austin, and worked full time on his creative projects. By the end of 1994 he would complete: Emmy, Tony & Oscar, an original two-act play which would be a 1995 semi-finalist at Dayton (OH) Playhouse's Futurefest; nineteen (19) paintings; plus seven (7) vases. 1994 would also be Rick's last year of good health, as in 1995 he would learn that he had AIDS.

Rick hit the ground running (well, painting). He completed and delivered four paintings to Art Encounter before the end of his first month in Austin. Of those four, The Singer is the only one not previously sold. A description of this painting from Rick's journal:

"The Singer - A has-been singer gets a gig and pulls out one of her costumes. She works hard to squeeze into the dress."