Richard studied at the Art Students League of New York and has received more than 100 awards for his pastels, oils and watercolors. In 1984 he achieved the status of Master Pastelist for exceptional merit in pastels. Recently, his work has been exhibited at the Luminous Gallery in Talchung, Taiwan and as part of Still Life Painters of the 20th Century, Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, VA.

Poink has been published in numerous books and magazines including Creative
Painting with Pastel (Northlight) by Carole Katchen, Basic Still Life Painting (Northlight) and Artists Magazine, April 1988 and 1993. He teaches at the Art Students League of New York and The Pastel Society, NAC, New York. He was also the longest running president of The Salmagundi Club.

To view Richard's amazing work, go to http://www.richardpionk.org (cut and paste url in browser address bar).