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Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Richard Shaffett spent his childhood on the island of Aruba in the Dutch West Indies. There he became fascinated by the brilliant colors of the tropics. Drawing the scenes that surrounded him came naturally. Later, after attending the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he joined the Navy. Sailing the Pacific, he discovered new exotic islands, which fueled his passion for tropical and seafaring subject matter.

Following naval service, Richard returned to Baton Rouge and later relocated to Sarasota, Florida, to study at the Ringling School of Art and Design. He remained in Southwest Florida and began painting tropical scenes and sculpting the native wildlife in resin and wood. Richard also worked as a commercial artist in the fields of advertising and architectural rendering. Renderings require skillful technique, correct perspective and great attention to detail... qualities that have elevated his fine art to a superlative level. Richard's clients have included Centex Homes, Chris Craft, U.S. Homes, Taylor-Woodrow, Harcourt Brace, and Cunard Lines. He has completed many murals including a large-scale work for Walt Disney(c) in 1992.

Richard has traveled widely to many parts of the world, and has gathered inspiration for his work throughout his travels. He is now working on painting Coastal and Mediterranean scenes. His artwork is in the collections of Gordon Lightfoot, the Smothers Brothers and Jose Feliciano. In his spare time, Richard enjoys Tai-Chi, music, and life on Florida's Gulf Coast with his wife, Anne, their family and companion animals.