Some artists never really leave. They just get quiet for a while.
Walter Ricci-Wadas — known as The Ordinary Walter — grew up in Whitesboro, studied studio arts at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, and came back home to Utica where he became a real part of the local art scene. Life had other plans after 2012, and he stepped away for nearly a decade. Then on November 6, 2022, with the support of his wife Alison, he came back with more. His process is honest and instinctual. “I don’t know what I’m doing until I start. I’m very emotional. I’m very expressive.” Oil, latex, acrylic, paint pens, rags — whatever it takes to get the feeling out. Textured, layered, rough around the edges in the best possible way.
I met Walter through the 2025 Spring Artist Refinery Program at Thinkubator for Creatives. He’s one of those people you meet once and just get it. Not long after, he curated a show at The Gerber and I had the honor of showing some of my own work there.
And then I asked him if he would paint my logo.
He said yes. The JMR Visuals clapperboard and camera lens brought to life in his spiritual abstract style — layers of teal and blue, gold drips, hand-painted marks on canvas. The words “Thank You” and “JMR Visuals” woven right into the surface. These pieces are going on my thank you cards, stationery, and merch. Not just branding. Art.
That is Walter. He takes what you bring him and makes something you didn’t know you needed.
“Once I get going, I have to physically stop myself. I can go days doing nothing but creating.”
Ordinary in the most extraordinary way. 🖤
the-ordinary-walter.art
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