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About Ric Horner
Established landscape and seascape painter Ric W. Horner focuses in his work on the elemental qualities of light, the energy of weather and the drama of the sea.
For over four decades, British painter Ric W. Horner has devoted his professional life to capturing the raw, untamed beauty of the natural world. His atmospheric landscapes and seascapes—remarkable for their luminous treatment of light and their sensitivity to weather—have earned him international acclaim and a loyal following of collectors.
Ric’s artistic journey began on the North Kent coast, around Cliftonville in Margate, where, as a boy, he spent long hours sketching the beaches and absorbing the drama of the sea. That early exposure to the shifting moods of the coast laid the foundation for a career marked by a preoccupation with the elemental: light, cloud, tide, and wind.
After graduating from Exeter College of Art & Design in 1989—an institution then located close to the brooding terrain of Dartmoor National Park—Ric immersed himself in painting the full spectrum of meteorological phenomena, from radiant sunshine and moonlit nocturnes to violent gales, heavy snowfall and leaden skies.
His ability to render not just the appearance, but the emotional atmosphere of a place, is a defining feature of his work. Over the years, Ric has lived in a variety of remote and dramatic locations, including Dartmoor, Kenya, and Cameroon, and has travelled extensively within the UK, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Cornwall and Wales. He now resides in Whitstable, Kent—a coastal town whose vast mudflats and open estuarial views continue to influence his recent paintings.
“My aim,” Ric says, “is to create visual spaces into which the viewer can imaginatively enter—places that feel both familiar and mysterious. Light, for me, is a language. It expresses our emotional response to nature far more powerfully than words. The local shoreline here is particularly compelling. Even in poor weather, it offers a mirror of the sky at your feet.” Such sentiments resonate deeply with admirers of his work.
Over the years, Ric has received widespread praise, not only for his technical command but for the emotive power of his paintings. Typical responses range from “Your art brings tears to my eyes” and “Truly spectacular” to “Exquisite” and “Poetic, bold and absolutely marvellous.” One collector observed: “Ric is second to none when it comes to capturing light on the landscape,” while another predicted: “In time, he will be recognised as one of the most significant landscape artists of his generation.”
Ric’s formal education includes a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Exeter College of Art & Design, followed by a PGCE in Further Education at Greenwich University. He also holds a BTEC Diploma in Graphic Design from Canterbury College of Art. Yet it is the landscape—unfiltered and unconfined—that has remained his most enduring and exacting teacher. In an era of digital saturation and fleeting spectacle, Ric W. Horner’s work offers a profound reminder of the timeless relationship between land, sky, and human perception—a vision grounded not in fashion, but in the enduring rhythms of the natural world.
Gallery-Exhibited Works, Studio-Direct Access.
If you’d like to experience Ric Horner’s work first-hand, the best place to start is his Studio , where you can discover prints and cards of his pieces in the very space they were created.
Ric is also proudly represented by the Lilford Gallery in Canterbury and the online platform British Contemporary. Arts, giving collectors multiple ways to explore his portfolio.
Beyond painting, Ric shares his expertise through Fine Art Studio Sessions and Art Mentoring in Whitstable, offering one-to-one guidance for artists of all levels. He also makes his work accessible through Greeting Cards, Gift Vouchers, and bespoke commissions, making it easy to bring his art into your own life or give it as a thoughtful gift.
Each year, Ric takes part in the East Kent Artists’ Open Houses – a much-loved regional art event.
In October 2025, you’ll find him in House 4 on the Whitstable trail, opening his doors across three weekends: 11th–12th, 18th–19th, and 25th–26th October.