Rick Beerhorst - Artist

(This episode has some NSFW language. Please play carefully.)

Rick arrived at my studio with a black eye. So…as one does in this type of situation, I asked him what happened. But then I selfishly thought better of it and said, “Wait. Save it for the podcast.”

Turns out, as you will hear, a few days earlier Rick had “gotten his ass kicked” in a violent altercation at 2:30AM near the downtown dumpster where he was throwing away roughly $700,000 worth of his own paintings and sketches that he had just destroyed with a box cutter and table saw.

Suffice it say Rick and I have an awful lot to unpack in this episode.

I’ve known Rick Beerhorst for a long time. He is one of the most talented painters that Michigan has ever produced. He’s also complicated and a survivor. He’s battled through periods of intense poverty, depression and mania. His 29 year marriage dissolved a few years ago. And now, after a period of intense self-reflection and meditation, Rick has fully rededicated himself to his art and career. Shortly after we shot this episode, Rick embarked for Europe and is now living in Paris where he is painting, reading and writing.

Sit back and enjoy this episode. It’s quite a ride.

Rick’s website

Follow Rick on Instagram

This episode is made possible by:

Metro Health | University of Michigan Health and Dr. Peter Hahn