Although born and raised in Brooklyn New York, Ritch became visually attracted to the west and the Native American culture by the warm colors and the spiritual nature of the people and the land. Inspired by the works of the legendary photographer Edward S. Curtis and his colleagues who chronicled Indian life in the 19th and 20th centuries, he became sympathetic to the Native American history and their fallen journey. He paints of the people, the land and the spirits and tries to recapture a feeling of a time and culture long gone. He is an emerging self taught artist who has been painting for over twenty years and only recently began to exhibit publicly. He has been awarded the Plainsman, the People's Choice Award at the American Plains Artists show in 2009. He has exhibited in most states in galleries and museums including the * International Museum of the Horse, * The Gilcrease Museum, * The American QuarterHorse Association Museum, * The Great Plains Art Museum, and * The Ellen Noel Museum. Known for his evocative expression and emotion of the subject as well as his textured application of paint, Ritch is rapidly building a strong following with collectors and galleries throughout the world. He has studied with Micheal Madigan and developed his own style of expression. He won the Judges Award of Merit in the Trail of Painted Ponies National Art Competition, 2006 and a member of the Oil Painters of America and American Plains Artists. He has also appeared on national television and radio several times and has been featured in several art magazines. Ritch is also an author, his latest book, Tweet, a comedy about one guy who took on big business and won (available on ebook and paperback). Press Release. To see Ritch's books: www.Ritchgaiti.com. Prior to painting, Ritch was a technology executive on Wall Street. He also enjoys tennis, films, skiing and is a private pilot