Biography

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In the early 2000s, while working as a criminal defense lawyer in Albuquerque, I began exhibiting my realistic watercolor paintings in juried shows, including those hosted by the New Mexico Watercolor Society, Masterworks, and the New Mexico State Fair Fine Art competitions. These early experiences allowed me to refine my craft, but I soon found traditional watercolor themes uninspiring. Determined to break free from conventional Southwestern imagery—no more adobes, hollyhocks, or cacti—I began experimenting with abstract watercolor, developing a unique style that became my own.

With gallery representation and exhibitions in both Taos and Santa Fe, my approach evolved into a distinct style I call Southwest Modernism. By the 2020s, my focus had shifted to Cubist and Geometric Abstraction. During the early pandemic years, while living in Tesuque, north of Santa Fe, I led the Santa Fe Artists’ Medical Fund’s FLOWERS FOR SANTA FE PROJECT. Through this initiative, I created and donated Cubist watercolor flower paintings to hospital patients, combining art with community care.

For several years, I’ve been represented by the Taos Artist Collective, one of Northern New Mexico’s most vibrant and energetic galleries. The Collective’s diverse offerings and dynamic artist community continue to inspire me.

In 2021, I relocated to Corrales, NM, and co-founded the abstract art group Triple-Take with Janet Bothne and Billy Sabatini. Together, we aimed to showcase and celebrate abstract art in the Albuquerque area with exhibitions like ROCK-PAPER-CANVAS and LAND-SKY-WATER. Our mission is to honor and revive New Mexico’s rich abstract art heritage as seen in the works of Raymond Jonson, Richard Diebenkorn, Andrew Dasburg, and Emil Bistram.

In 2023, my wife Betsy Kuhn and I completed construction of Riggs/Kuhn Studios in Corrales. This free-standing building, featuring two large studio spaces, has become a central highlight of the annual Corrales Studio Tour. We are proud members of the Corrales Society of Artists.

• That same year, I debuted my Minimalist Painting Series. In 2024, I showcased my Wild Seeds Project alongside minimalist, Cubist, and geometric abstract works. Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the introduction of a refined new body of work, the SYMPHONY SERIES.