At Grand River Giclée, we have the privilege to work with artists whose vision transforms the familiar into something unforgettable, including local artist Rick Aardsma. His work is equal parts architectural precision and quiet poetry. His photographic compositions invite viewers into carefully arranged spaces meant to invoke a response.

Meet Rick Aardsma

Rick Aardsma, a West Michigan photographer and visual artist, has cultivated a body of work that is both visually restrained and conceptually rich. His exhibitions have appeared across the United States and the world.

A Lens on Stillness, Space, and Subtle Drama

At first glance, Aardsma’s work may appear minimalist, but on further observation you’ll find a delicate orchestration of light, color, geometry, and narrative tension. His work is grounded in visual quietude but layered with meaning. It invites viewers to slow down and pay attention.

Critic Mario Naves described Aardsma’s work as a “quixotic mash-ups of retro Americana.” Aardsma’s photographs frequently draw from mid-century American visual culture, blending nostalgic textures and color palettes with contemporary restraint. The result is both familiar and uncanny, highlighting the aesthetic of classic elements: buildings, landscapes, and automobiles, always with a slight twist.

Aardsma’s photographic compositions feel open yet contemplative. His use of color is subtle but deliberate, often muted and desaturated, enhancing the timeless quality of his images.

His installations and photographic works share a clean visual language that seems informed by both design principles and psychological spaces. They don’t just depict environments, they evoke atmosphere.

Printing Rick Aardsma’s Work at Grand River Giclée

We’ve had the pleasure of printing Aardsma’s artwork using our giclée process, which is ideal for preserving its nuance. His pieces, with their carefully modulated tones and textures, benefit from the precision and depth offered by archival pigment printing. You can further explore Rick Aardsma’s work at richardaardsma.com.