In 2016 Ringelstetter was at an art fair in Miami that didn’t yield the results he was hoping for when he was approached by a patron that was interested in the “Forbidden Zone” piece. After hearing the wonderful backstory, the patron made an offer to purchase the painting for $30,000. Ringelstetter turned him down almost immediately due to the sentimental and inspirational value this piece provides him, but the patron wasn’t convinced and invited our artist to a bar later that evening.
Out of curiosity and the hope of building a new business relationship, Ringelstetter agreed to meet the man later that evening. When he arrived the discussion of “what will it take” began, but still Ringelstetter was committed to keeping the piece. The “Forbidden Zone” is such a pivotal piece for his career that he couldn’t (and still can’t) bear to part with it. He’s been given a world of grief by family, friends, and supporters for this decision, but he knows that this is a piece you can’t put into words and the experience it gives it’s viewers is a priceless thing to witness. Ringelstetter still maintains that the only way this piece will leave his possession is if it is rented out and he’s given the opportunity to tell the story along with it’s viewing. Speaking as someone who’s gotten to tell the incredible story of the inspiration and creation of the “Forbidden Zone”, I wholeheartedly agree with his decision. You simply cannot attach a price tag to the awesome experience of blowing people’s minds and reshaping the art world.
“Forbidden Zone”
On Halloween 2018, Ringelstetter participated in a fundraiser held by the Spring Green Area Arts Coalition at the Shed restaurant. The goal was to raise money for artists in the community, and the theme was ”Painting Monsters with Nick”. Ringelstetter knew that he would be using all of the characters each of the twenty participants had created to paint a new original, but at the time he didn’t know that he would be spending three months on it.
The choice was between creating three new originals before Ringelstetter left for his Florida tour, or to put his all into this one painting. Since it was for the kids, Ringelstetter decided to take this painting a step further and make it three dimensional and black light reactive. The results were something that has never been done before in the art world, thanks in great part to every individual who partook in the event.
Darienne Keniece