Ignite Studio is proud to host solo exhibits by artists from Hamilton County and surrounding areas as part of our mission to promote and display art from our talented community. “As I See It” is our last solo exhibit of the year, a collection of paintings by Fishers-based watercolor artist and photographer Rich Ernsting.
See the exhibit on view in the lower lobby of the Fishers branch of the Hamilton East Public Library from September 26 – November 6, 2026.
About the Artist
Rich Ernsting
“The challenge of painting in watercolor has always inspired me to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Well, that’s my intention, but obviously a lot comes into play as a painting evolves (or doesn’t).
Strong design and interesting perspectives are unique to my style. Some of my paintings are created by overlaying images to reimagine what is seen. Others are tweaked slowly into a true realistic portrayal of the subject.
I am honored to have won the first two Best of Shows in WSI in 1983 and 1984, then 4 more Best of Shows in 1991,1995, 2002 and 2017.
I have been featured in several publications including The Best of Watercolor, The Best of Watercolor2, Creative Watercolor Step by Step Guide, and People in Watercolor.
I took an 8 year break from painting to concentrate on my College & University series which involved photographing over 1000 campuses. With one foot in the grave, I’m happy to say that I am back in my studio and painting again with the supervision of my lovely feline assistant BettyWhite.
Current Memberships:
- Watercolor Soc. of IN, Cardinal member, Past Pres., 6 Best of Show plus other Awards
- National Watercolor Society, Signature member & awards
- Transparent Watercolor Soc. of America, Signature member & awards
- Indiana Artists Club, member & Best of Show awards &other awards
Past Memberships:
- Brown County Art Guild, member and past president
- Hoosier Salon, Member, Best of Show Award plus others
- Indiana Heritage Arts, won major award several years ago
About “As I See It”
“Do You Wanna Dance” by Rich Ernsting; Watercolor
Rich Ernsting, WSI is a local watercolor artist, having lived in Broad Ripple for over 47 years before moving to Fishers a few years ago. Rich has been fortunate to support himself through his artwork, having been a commercial artist for many years before becoming self-employed nearly 40 years ago. Rich has been a long time Cardinal Member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana, winning 6 Best of Show awards along with many other awards. He is also a member and has won awards in the Indiana Artists Club (two Best of Show), Hoosier Salon (Best of Show), National Watercolor Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He previously has had a painting accepted in the prestigious American Watercolor Society exhibition.
When not painting, Rich has used photography to develop another type of artwork. He has visited and photographed over 1000 college and university campuses. Visiting over 1000 colleges and universities and photographing every building on each campus was no small task. He uses the images for each school to create a sentimental reflection of the campus for alumni which he sells at the many art fairs that he participates in all year round.
Rich says about the show: “For 8 years I took a break from painting and entering competitive shows. I took the time off to relax, reflect, and reset my priorities. It was during this time that I moved to Fishers, into a new house, and began to set up my studio again. I don’t have the drive to paint everyday like many artists, but I really enjoy it when I get deep into a painting. Learning at the age of 28 that I had dyslexia explained why I had a tough time in school but also allowed me to find other ways to express myself like in my art. And once again, I’m painting late into the night.
“Docked for the Day” by Rich Ernsting; Watercolor
This collection of paintings is called “AS I SEE IT” because I enjoy the challenge of seeking out different perspectives and rearranging the pieces. I often layer multiple images to create a new vision, blending details with abstraction. Everything within sight can be a source of inspiration, and I am as distracted as I am focused when it comes to staying with a single subject to paint. My passion for older things like cars, trains, and boats is often apparent in many of the paintings I have done. I find their shapes are more interesting than what we have today. I also love to delve into a close-up study of something. Interesting people and animals intrigue me also. I have painted the trio of ducks who returned for several years to my little pond at the house in Broad Ripple, waiting by my front door to be fed each day. And, BettyWhite, my feline studio assistant, has also become a model for several paintings.”
See “As I See It” on display at the Fishers branch of HEPL at 5 Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038. This exhibit will be on view from September 26 – November 6, 2026. If you are interested in purchasing a piece from this show, you can contact the artist directly at [email protected]. Learn more about our exhibits on our website.