Marty Ricks

I grew up surrounded by art—my dad and brothers all became professional painters—though I first built a career in custom framing before eventually finding my own place at the easel when I turned forty. Inspired by my father’s connection with Ukrainian artist Sergei Bongart, I discovered that painting gave me both peace and purpose, allowing me to carry on the tradition of my artist-saturated family. My journey has also taken me to Ukraine and Russia, where I’ve worked to honor Sergei’s legacy and support humanitarian causes close to my heart. For me, art has always been a journey of discovery and transformation—you never know where it might lead.