Rick Fisher’s talents extend beyond the tennis court – and onto the painting canvas

Shoppers at Gitane, the women’s boutique in downtown Menlo Park, whose eyes drift upwards can’t help but notice the series of abstract paintings hanging on the walls above the clothing racks. Who the artist is may surprise them — Rick Fisher, better known as the tennis pro at the Menlo Circus Club.

A graduate of Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, followed by Stanford University, Rick joined the professional tennis tour out of college and had an opportunity to visit many of the great art museums around the world. His early influences were Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning and Robert Motherwell.

His oils paintings are noted for their movement, confident lines, strong strokes and bright palette. The negative space is just as important as the lines, or positive space, and ideally the viewer cannot distinguish which is in the foreground or background.

“I find inspiration everywhere,” said Rick.  “I will be out walking on the baylands and see a building and the light reflecting off of it and I will think, ‘That is a great idea for a painting.’ Sometimes the final result is very similar to what I originally imagined, and sometimes very different. Each painting evolves as I work on it.”

There will be a reception for the artist at Gitane (855 Santa Cruz Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 26 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. His paintings will continue to be on display through November.

Photo by Linda Hubbard