About the Artist…

Rickena was trained by a family of artists from her early childhood.  June Reed Swad, her mother who studied at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan was her biggest influence.  June was a local artist in the Metropolitan area who created and displayed artwork in a multitude of venues including the State Fair, the Detroit Zoo, malls, and many other local establishments.  Rickena traveled regularly to events observing the business of art, clients’ portrait sittings and caricature art shows. Rickena obtained the knowledge on how to draw faces, blend colors, cartoon caricature art, and many other techniques. She received private lessons on creating portraits, abstracts, animal paintings along with the anatomy drawings of the human body.  She gleaned and perfected these teachings over many, many years.

In addition, Rickena learned from aunts and uncles who were talented artists providing different insights into her artistic journey. These connections contributed to Rickena’s style as a versatile artist who enjoys creating multi-media that crosses all cultural barriers. Her body of work is focused on exploring the intricate middle ground between dreams and reality. She expresses her love for people through a spectrum ranging from realism to dreamy abstracts that often feature heavenly clouds, dreams mixed with reality, or the euphoric feeling of your best day. Rickena’s works have been featured and sold at various locations throughout the Cincinnati, Ohio Area.

Rickena is driven by the joy art brings to others and the therapeutic affect she experiences within. She explains it this way: “If my work can bring a little light to someone and can touch people from all walks of life…if it can create a spirit of love, unity, harmony, joy, peace and tranquility, then I’ve achieved my purpose”.