Richard Fennell received his bachelor of fine arts from East Carolina University and his master of fine arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Fennell's work can be found in the permanent collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art as well as in numerous private and corporate collections nationwide.

His paintings are derived from nature and are a direct result of his observations of the North Carolina landscape, specifically the Piedmont. His bold brush strokes reflect a careful placement of color, capturing the changing of the seasons and the essentials of nature. Fennell’s strengths are his understanding of a particular place, its seasons, and the time of day.