Meet the Artist:
Richard C Ybarra
Born in San Diego and raised in La Mesa, California, Richard C Ybarra graduated from Helix High School. He served in the army during the turbulent years of the Vietnam War.
Ybarra rose through the ranks ending his military career as a specialist 4th class. Free from military obligation, Richard entered San Diego State University and emerged in 1979 as an honors graduate with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design communication.
Ybarra had an eye for detail and a feel for graphic images. He saw things that others did not see and enjoyed capturing those images for all to enjoy. He became a photographer with a suppressed desire to do fine art.
Advertising and Teaching Graphic Arts
In 1980 he was hired by a San Diego advertising agency which began his career as a graphic artist. For the next several years he served as the art director for two advertising agencies designing corporate logos, brochures, training materials and advertising campaigns. On the side he worked on personal art, winning his first award in 1980 – a Nikon Photo Award – for a photo of two San Diego Ballet Company dancers.
In 1991 Richard was offered a job as an instructor with the Advertising Arts College which would later become the Art Institute of San Diego. The job offered him the opportunity to both teach and advance his education. In 2006 he earned a master’s degree in educational instructional leadership, once again with honors.
Ybarra ended his teaching career in 2019 to devote full time to his art. His company – Horseshoe Productions-RCY – had grown from a part-time enterprise to a full time occupation.
Richard C Ybarra Today
Richard now devotes his working life to his art. An award winning photographer and artist, his photographic and fine art work has been exhibited in galleries throughout California.
Richard C Ybarra – artist, teacher, photographer – invites the viewer to be a part of his creative adventure.
Ybarra is an old school purist when it comes to art. His early experiences with horses in the not-yet-suburbanized hills of San Diego found expression in his choice of subjects – Western Art.
The Olaf Wieghorst Museum is pleased to present the work of Richard C Ybarra – on exhibition in April/May of 2022.