About me:
“Walk by Faith, not by Sight.” 2 Corinth. 5:7
Ricky Trione is a blind artist who paints from his Heart!
He is a Fairhope native who enjoyed drawing very realistically for years. Many people have in their collections the drawings Ricky did in pen and ink of the Sand Island lighthouse as well as his boats, crabs and images along the bay.
Ricky had two freak accidents that took away his vision, one eye at a time. He lost vision in his left eye from an accident, while serving as a Captain in the Army in 1993. A logging truck slung an object through the open window of his vehicle. The next accident happened when he pulled over in Baldwin County to check under the hood of his car, and a passing truck slung a piece of tire tread that struck him in the other eye and caused permanent blindness.
Ricky had to give up much of his independence. He no longer could drive or do pen and ink drawing, among many other things. He continued to work as a counselor for the blind & visually impaired until fall of 2005.
In April of 2006, Ricky was asked to partner with his childhood friend, Vicky Nix Cook, on creating an Art Piece for VSA (Very Special Arts of Alabama). Vicky is the fine arts Supervisor for Baldwin County Schools. Ricky and Vicky painted a beautiful big Red Cardinal Bird and that was the beginning of Ricky “coming out of his shell,” and back into his passionate love for Art. He gives a tremdous amount of credit to his teacher and mentor, from the Eastern Shore Art Center, Nancy Raia, Director of Art Bridging Creativity, for helping him come out of his shell and to develop his own personal style of painting by feel. Nancy taught Ricky the love of colors!!!
Ricky has had the opportunity to work with many of the fine artists of the Eastern shore, such as Nancy Raia, Vicky Cook, James Hood, Colette Waite and
Bruce Larsen, who have mentored, taught and inspired him to continue his love of art. Ricky loves to work with school children of all ages. He offers the children hope and inspiration that, “you can be creative and work through limitations.”
Ricky’s style is unique. He first draws and image, from his memory with raised paints. He then paints inside the outline in with his fingers. The colors have been strategically placed on his pallet by the numbers on the clock. The end product is always tactile, 3-D and very colorful. Unlike other artists, Ricky always encourages people to feel his paintings.
Ricky’s hero and role model is his Uncle Ronnie Trione, who was a local celebrated artist during the 1960s until his death in 1970. Ronnie inspired everyone, because he painted by holding a paintbrush in his mouth, due to being paralyzed from his neck down to his toes. Ronnie always smiled and shared joy with others. Ricky strives to carry on the inspiration and joy of his Uncle Ronnie.
Through all of the trials and tribulations of loosing his sight, Ricky has learned that he must depend on others and God. All though Ricky has lost his physical sight, he has gained Spiritual Sight that only comes from the Holy Spirit and enables Ricky to see from his heart and his soul. He is supported by a loving family and wonderful friends. He is grounded in the faith of Christ Jesus. Ricky has learned to let God direct his path. God is Good All the Time!
Who I'd like to meet: JONI EAREKSON TADA
AWESOME ARTIST!
A Champion for Persons
with Disabilities!!!
