Richard Bantigue
United States Marine Corps Veteran & Multidisciplinary Artist based in Raleigh, NC. Specializing in Fine Art, Custom Designs, and Graphic Illustrations. Published Illustrator, Fashion Designer and Film Maker.
Read full bio below.
Born in winter 1990 surrounded by rice fields and the highlands, art became an outlet for him as a way of coping with daily struggles growing up in the province of Cavite. In 2001, Richard moved to Quezon City to live with his Aunt and Uncle. The care and support, he received from his extended family allowed him to develop his creative mind by studying different art mediums and styles.
He started out by entering art contests and taking on small art commissions. He also apprenticed under a few well-established artists who helped guide and mentored him in the early stages of his creative development. He took on jobs like redesigning business signs and painting murals as novice.
The 90’s and 2000’s pop culture and anime era played a huge influence in Richard’s art. Like many of his teenage peers, he read countless of comic books and watch anime after school. He would draw cartoons and anime for his friends as gifts. The escape became his passion and his passion turned to obsession and learning more beyond drawing just cartoons.
In 2006, Richard moved to the United States to live with his Father. He continued his high school education at a small homely town of Lebanon, Missouri. During this time, he worked at several freelance art projects, painting murals and have also won various art competitions.
A few of his notable awards during high school includes 1st places in 3rd Battalion Army patch redesign, Robotics logo contest, along with Science and Technology poster contest. He was recognized in the Violence Awareness art competition and a recipient of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Young American Creative Patriotic Art Award.
Moreover, the school appointed him to create a custom art cover for the school planner. A few of his paintings were published in The Delphian Chronicles via Lebanon High School Literary and Art Publication. Additionally, he was an active member of the International Club and Art Club being the official artist behind the redesigned crests. He also played as an Outside Midfielder for the Soccer Team.
In 2009, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an Aircraft Maintenance Administration Specialist. In basic training, he was chosen as the “Artist Recruit” producing various artwork for display as a symbol of pride within the platoon. Upon entering the fleet, his creative talent was quickly discovered by his superiors.
He was tasked to redesign numerous unit logos and paint portraits for surviving family of fallen comrades. In 2012, he was commissioned by the east and west coast Comptrollers to paint motivational murals aboard Naval Ships S.S. Wright in Baltimore, MD and S.S. Curtiss in San Diego CA. Increasing unit morale while adding value to each vessel. Available for viewing to local and international armed forces visitors.
In 2014, Richard re-enlisted for a second tour as an Expeditionary Airfield Technician. He was stationed in Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field, Bogue, NC and served under Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, where he painted two murals used as a backdrop for ceremonies and platoon formations.
Finally, before leaving the Marines, the Commanding Officer commissioned him to paint a 30 ft x 12 ft wall mural, depicting 30 years of the unit’s history. This historiographic painting currently resides on displayed in Headquarters Building, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Air Station Cherry Point, NC.
A couple of art related awards he received in the Marine Corps includes the following. Meritorious Mast for devoting his time painting three detailed murals on the flight deck aboard S.S. Wright, Baltimore MD, during the 2012 Bold Alligator Exercise, (an international armed forces collaborative operation) enhancing the general appearance of the ship.
Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal for Superior performance of duties while serving as Company Operations Chief (Director of planning/operations) and for philanthropic activities contributing artistic designs to various work sections increasing morale and appearance of base during Weapons Instructor Course located in Site-50 Yuma AZ.
In 2017, Richard received a degree in Business Administration and Management before leaving the Marine Corps serving a total of 8 years active duty.
In 2021, Richard graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from NC State University.
Today, Richard is the owner and founder of BantigueARTS LLC. A small but ascending visual art company. Specializing in high-end custom art and media creation. Providing private and commercial clients with creative solutions based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
