Rick Howell resides in Mogote, Colorado, a small town at the mouth of the Conejos Canyon in the Southern San Juan Mountains. After receiving a degree from Colorado State University in Biology, Howell pursued a successful career managing stock brokerage firms in Denver. A self-taught landscape painter, he left the business world in 1995 to become a full time artist. Howell is a nationally recognized artist, most recently winning national awards of excellence in the 2003, and 2004 Oil Painters of America shows.In 2005 Howell received an Award of Excellence at the Salon International, International Museum of Contemporary Masters, for his painting "Tributary" and received another Award of Excellence in the same show for his painting "December On The Rim". Also in 2005 Howell received First Place at the National American Impressionist Society show for his painting "Fall Color". In that same show he also received Honorable Mention for his painting "Conejos River".In 2006 Howell received the Award Of Excellence for his painting "Wind" at the American Impressionist Societys national show.In the Society Of Master Impressinoist International 2006 Exhibition Howell received the Best Of Show award for his painting "Andy's Ranch". His work is held in many corporate and private collections.