After my unforgettable morning with Dr. Mark Lehner and my second visit to the Giza Pyramids, I took an Uber back into Cairo for something I had been unsure about: visiting the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. With the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum just da…
This morning was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my entire journey: the day I met Dr. Mark Lehner at the Ancient Egyptian Research Associates (AERA) complex in Giza. I have admired his work for years—learning so much from his documentaries, his lectur…
I woke up on November 3rd with the kind of excitement that warms your whole body from the inside out. This was the day I reunited with my wonderful guide and friend, Dalia Dod. Seeing her again felt like seeing a family member — a burst of familiarity and kindness…
Maybe it was hanging with Gisselle, but I woke up in Cairo with an unexpected sense of freedom. Extending my trip by three days so I could attend the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum turned out to be one of the happiest last-minute decisions I’ve ever made. I…
Tonight was one of the most unexpected gifts of my entire trip. I had been looking forward to this evening for a long, long time—long before I ever set foot in Egypt—because tonight I met Gisselle Vallejos, a woman who is truly one of a kind on this planet.
Gissel…
I woke up in Luxor in my beautiful Airbnb, still riding the emotional wave of everything I had seen in the days leading up to this. The Fajr Call To Prayer was some of the best morning meditation ever. Then at 6:00 a.m. sharp, my SUPERMAN driver, Nubi, picked me u…
My day began in the most unexpected and magical way. Ashraf, my host at the lovely Osiris Guest House (link below) in Abu Simbel had to be at the temples at 6:00 a.m., when they first opened. He told me the night before that he would wake me with tea, a quick chat…
I woke up in Aswan before the sun, grabbed my small day bag, waited for my boat to take me to the airport and boarded an early morning flight farther south—almost as far as Egypt goes—to the legendary temples of Abu Simbel. Even looking out the window as we descen…
While I was prepping for the trip, my friend Mare gave me the best advice: "Remember to leave a little space in your luggage for kizmet." Allow yourself to have a wonderful experience without having it planned out to the T. So sage.
After spending the morning of …
October 27, 2025 — My 66th Birthday on the Giza Plateau
You know that moment when you wake up in a new place and it takes you a minute or so to adjust your brain to catch up with your eyes? Well, I woke up on my sixty-sixth birthday to a view that felt like a drea…
The first morning I woke in Giza, I pulled back the curtain and there they were — the Pyramids of Egypt, rising not from the ground, but descending like rays of light from the heavens themselves. My guide, a wise and elegant soul, had told me that the ancients bui…
You know, I didn’t go to Egypt looking for answers. I didn’t go because it was on my bucket list or because I’d dreamed of it since childhood, which of course I had. In truth, I didn’t fully understand why I was going at all—only that I felt pulled there. Habibi,…
Imagine an ordinary day, where the gentle rhythm of your morning routine shifts slightly, inviting in an extra layer of warmth and introspection. As you wake up, the sun filters through the curtains, casting soft hues around your room, m…
If you're a lover of watercolor artistry, whether you're captivated by delicate pet portraits or cherish a piece from a cherished collection, showcasing these masterpieces appropriately becomes quite the personal adventure. Picture this:…
It all started with a risk. I was newly on my own after being in a relationship for almost 30 years and I was learning how to adjust to life by myself for the first time in a long, long time. In an effort to make myself smile, i bought…
After what was an extremely nervous drive from Littleton to Aurora wondering what the hell I was in for, I finally arrived at the Vintage Theater, which is the home of the Monica Horn Gallery. I have been planning for months, the cons…
Art is an essential part of human existence, and it has been with us for thousands of years. From ancient cave paintings to contemporary installations, art has always been a way for people to express themselves and communicate with others.
…
Welcome to RickLongArt.com, an online watercolor art gallery that showcases the beautiful and intricate works of artist Rick Long. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing the essence of his subjects, Rick's art has captivat…
Your Questions, Answered
Curious about my process, timelines, or materials? I’ve gathered the most common questions here to make things simple for you. Explore the FAQ to learn more about commissions, originals, prints, and the heart behind my watercolor work.