Richard Nunez (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard L Nunez
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| Born | March 23, 1961 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Self-taught |
Richard Nunez, born on March 23, 1961, is an American painter. He lives and works in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. Richard Nunez is also of Mescalero Apache heritage. He mainly creates his art using acrylic paints on canvas.
The Life of Richard Nunez
Richard Nunez was born in 1961 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His parents, Esther and Henry Nunez, were both of Apache heritage. Richard's parents did not tell him about his Native American background. They wanted to protect him from unfair treatment that Native Americans sometimes faced. He learned about his heritage in 2004.
Richard went to Southside High School in Fort Wayne and finished in 1979. He says that the cool, detailed comic books from that time inspired his early drawings. These influences can still be seen in his artwork today. While in high school, Richard worked at a radio station called WMEE. He helped with maintenance from 1978 to 1979.
In 1979, Richard got married, and his daughter Erica Lynn was born in 1981. His son, Ryan Nathaniel, was born in 1985.
Richard left the radio station but was not yet ready to be a full-time artist. For the next 20 years, he worked many different jobs. Art was always his main passion, though. He worked as a dishwasher, a grocery store helper, and a salesman. He was also a forklift operator, a bartender, a stand-up comedian, and a singer.
In 1993, Richard wanted to become an artist. He decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona, to find his way in life. On his trip from Indiana to Arizona, his car broke down in Dallas. He didn't have money for repairs. An uncle took him in, and Richard ended up staying in Dallas.
For the next 13 years, Richard worked in hotels and restaurants. He was a bartender, a waiter, and a head trainer. He later became the general manager of a wine bar in Highland Village, Texas. This wine bar became a place where he could show his art. He would paint live in front of the guests. He knew that making the wine bar successful would help more people see his artwork.
Finally, in 2005, when he was 45, Richard was ready to become a full-time artist. He realized it was time to follow his dream. Around this time, he met his current wife, Nancy Nunez. Richard says Nancy is his inspiration. She is now the art director for Nunez's company, NINA Art. He named the company NINA Art after his nickname for Nancy.
Giving Back: Richard Nunez's Charity Work
Richard Nunez decided early on that his art would help women and children. His goal with NINA Art is to use his talent to work with famous people. Together, they can raise money for important causes and charities.
Richard estimates that NINA Art has helped raise over $350,000 between 2006 and 2013. This money went to many different causes. One of his paintings sold for $21,000 at a fundraiser. This is the highest amount one of his pieces has sold for so far.
Many charities have worked with Richard Nunez. Some of these include:
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Cattle Barons Ball
- American Diabetes Association
- Arts for Andy
- Top Hats (Humane Society)
- Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County
- Frisco Family Services
- Friends of the Family
- American Cancer Society
- Frisco Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund
- Tony Stewart Foundation
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- Children’s Speedway
- Wednesday's Child
Richard often works with famous people from around the world. They help raise money for their own charities or other good causes. Some of these celebrities include:
- Dan Aykroyd
- James Belushi
- Bill Cosby
- Vince Gill
- The Gipsy Kings
- Buddy Guy
- Tom Jones
- B. B. King
- Tony Orlando
- Livingston Taylor
- Adam Sandler
- Jeff Bridges
- George H. W. Bush
- George W. Bush
- Rod Stewart
He has also worked with many famous athletes, such as:
- From the Dallas Cowboys: Tashard Choice, Tony Dorsett, Walt Garrison, Michael Irvin, Preston Pearson, Tony Romo, Deion Sanders, Roger Staubach, DeMarcus Ware, Randy White (American football), and Rayfield Wright.
- From the NFL: Quan Cosby.
- From the Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, and Jason Terry.
- From the NBA: Moses Malone and Spud Webb.
- From the WNBA: Nancy Lieberman.
- Olympians: Michael Johnson (athlete) and Nastia Liukin.
- From NASCAR: Tony Stewart.
Richard Nunez's favorite charities are Women Called Moses, Society of Women Who Love Shoes, and Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County. When he is not traveling, he paints live every week at III Forks in Dallas. Richard recently opened Studio Nunez in Dallas.
