Lindsey Richards

I’m Lindsey Richards, a 23 year old abstract landscape painter. My most recent body of work from my thesis exhibition titled, “Time is Out of Joint”, navigates the alienating yet universal fear that comes from mortality. For as long as I can remember, I developed an intense fear of death. I’m unsure of what terrifies me more; myself ceasing to exist anymore or the isolated idea of everyone ceasing to exist around me. Both equally terrifying, my work attempts to reconcile and ease the mind consumed by this struggle. 

There’s a particular process that goes into the creation of my paintings where I only have so much control until the paint surrenders to time and gravity, essentially “painting itself”. Similar to the concept that human life, as well as the environment that surrounds us is impermanent. Even in the midst of a lively scene, we like our environments to be forever changing and there’s an ‘abyss’  always waiting to reclaim us. 

I draw heavy influence from historically significant thinkers, existentialist philosophers, classic stories and my love of cinema, particularly old horror films. My work creates a haunting essence of landscapes that reveals the awareness of one’s place in time.

Education & Awards

Richards grew up right outside the heart of Syracuse in Liverpool, NY and went to high school at Cicero North Syracuse (Class of ‘18). Richards went to SUNY Cortland, for her B.F.A in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting (Class of ‘22). During her time at Cortland she was a four season collegiate athlete on the SUNY Cortland Women’s Softball team from 2019-2022 and a NFCA All- American Scholar Athlete. Richard’s was a lefty pitcher. 

Richards’ past works were included in several annual Student Select exhibitions sponsored by the Art Exhibition Association. Most recently, she received the Muriel and Newell Keegan Prize for Excellence in Studio Art. She has served as a TA for the SUNY Cortland Art & Art History Department since 2020. Currently, this is Richards first year as the Assistant/ Pitching Coach at Onondaga Community College Women’s Softball team. She also substitute teaches for the North Syracuse Central School District and gives pitching lessons to the youth at Legacy Sports Park in Clay.

Richard’s will be continuing to achieve her M.F.A in Studio Arts & Painting at Syracuse University in this Fall, 2024.