What were the most difficult challenges you faced growing up?
Ritchie created his first artwork at the tender age of one. As his mother put it, knowing that Ritchie’s father too was an artist, she gave baby Ritchie crayons and paper to see what he would do. To her astonishment, Ritchie created an artwork that surprised her, given Ritchie’s age. From that moment on, she knew that her son was gifted in the Arts.
How have your living experiences influenced your art?
Ritchie’s art is raw and courageous, much like his personality. Ritchie credits such characteristics to the heroes he learned about in school. Ritchie’s mother strategically put him in a controversial school called Malcolm X Academy, which aimed to teach urban youth like Ritchie about black heroes and principles inspired by African and African American culture. While Ritchie has made it a point to create inclusive and wide-ranging artworks, he understands the importance of honoring the memories of his ancestors and those that precede him.
