Richard was born and raised in Eastern Kansas and has a BS degree in Art Education from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas.  He taught high school art from 1969 to 1973.  He attended Washburn University from 1971 through 1973 working toward an MFA in drawing and painting.

The years 1974 through 1998 were spent managing several food manufacturing plants in Arkansas, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.  In 1998 he self-retired an he and his wife of 34 years lived aboard a large sailboat.  They sailed down the East coast for about two years and settled in Pensacola.

During his sailing travels, Rich got a Masters license from the U.S. Coast Guard.  The fall of 2002 he started teaching classes at Pensacola Junior College.

More of his works can be viewed at his web site: www.richardwillows.com
e-mail Rich willowsstudios@cox.net