Meet Richard Huante | Professional Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Huante and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being a creative type, I wanted to share my art to the masses. Although I was employed full time as a graphic designer, I also wanted to supplement my income. What better way to achieve both of these goals than to start an art business?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I actually started out doing fine art portraiture in oil paint and pastels. Unfortunately, I found some of the clientele to be a little stuffy and elitist. However, I did gain valuable experience in dealing with xxx and learned marketing skills along the way. From a technical standpoint, I am grateful to have learned from some great fine art teachers, and utilize most of the techniques they taught me to this day.

Eventually transitioning to illustration style work, I focused on comic style “pinup” art that is so popular with comic book and fantasy movie enthusiasts. I exhibited and did very well at local comic conventions for several years. Eventually, COVID put the conventions on hold for a while.

When public events started taking place again, I attended local boxing matches and lowrider car shows. The overwhelmingly Hispanic audience at these events made me realize I had a huge demographic I could market my art to. I have since been creating more work with a Hispanic/Mexican theme to it and have been focusing my marketing campaigns to said demographic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well these days, I’m pretty much a homebody, especially with most of my attention on my art business. However, there are a few places and things I enjoy doing. For dining, you can’t beat a delicious Mexican meal from Manuel’s. Some of my other favorite places for good eats include Richardson’s, Pappadeux, and Rustler’s Rooste.

My guest had better be a sports fan, because I love my Suns, Cardinals and Diamondbacks, so we’d definitely be attending one of those games. We might even find ourselves watching the game at a local sports bar while enjoying some crispy hot wings and cold, frosty refreshments.

One of the best places to visit is the Phoenix Art Museum. I am always amazed at the beauty and history of the pieces on display there. Of course, I use my trips there as a source of inspiration.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my longtime significant other, Roxanne. She has supported, encouraged, critiqued, offered suggestions, and at times been outright blunt (but fair) throughout my artistic journey. I couldn’t have made it this far without her.

Website: https://richardhuante.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardhuantedesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardHuanteDesign

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RichardHuanteDesign

Image Credits
Richard Huante