Artist Richard Downs was born in Pasadena, California. His high school graduation present was an airbrush, air compressor and a Binks series 7 spray gun.After high school the Southern California hot rod culture was his canvas. For 3 years his award winning candy apple paint jobs and airbrushed murals graced the surfaces of low rider's, dragsters and drag boats. In 1980 he was accepted at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena . Richard received a BFA in illustration from Art Center in 1984 and taught editorial illustration for 6 years at the school.

Richard is an award winning editorial illustrator who has worked for most United States periodicals and newspapers ranging from The Progressive to National Geographic and international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations publication divisions . In the cyberworld Richard was a frequent contributor to Salon and a consultant on CD ROM games including Riven the sequel to Myst, the most influential and best selling computer game in history and Richard designed the unique interface for the now classic Edgar Allan Poe CD ROM ,The Dark Eye.

This work continues Richard's personal exploration of the mythical human figure engaged. Using the figure as a metaphor of our struggle to connect to others, our communities, our world, and ourselves.

Sacramento Bee Art Critic Victoria Dalkey said this about Richard's monotypes in a review. "His elegant yet emotive monotypes focus on abstracted male and female figures engaged in archetypal relationships. These rich and sophisticated graphics quietly steal the show."

Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission has selected Richards fine art portfolio for the Public Art Resource Registry .This will allow his work to be reviewed for all upcoming Public Art commissions and if the work is appropriate Richard can compete for the commission by submitting conceptual designs.

Richards 2007 fine art auction donation to PBS earned him an Honorable Mention which included a short televised interview