Trusting Intuition: Rick Brunson

By Judith Jenya

Rick Brunson’s life has been anything but ordinary. Raised on military bases across the United States and Europe, he seemed destined to follow a long family tradition of military service. Instead, his early inspiration came from an unlikely source: Mad Magazine. As a teenager stationed in Germany, Brunson began copying the work of cartoonist Paul Coker Jr., teaching himself to draw line by line. That simple act of imitation sparked a lifelong relationship with art—one that would carry him through college and beyond. He paid his way through school illustrating for student publications, eventually earning degrees from Grand Valley State and Michigan State Universities.

But art was only one thread in Brunson’s creative life. Music, discovered almost by accident, became another defining force. At age 12, he pulled a discarded snare drum from a dumpster and taught himself to play. Within months, he was performing with older musicians in professional bands on U.S. military bases. By his early twenties, Brunson was deeply embedded in the rock-and-roll scene, playing keyboards and guitar in a successful touring band. They performed for crowds of thousands, complete with stage effects and a full road crew. Yet at the height of that success, something felt off.

“The more successful we became, the emptier I felt,” he says. “I knew something wasn’t right.”

Trusting his intuition—a guiding principle throughout his life—Brunson made a bold decision. In 1976, he walked away from the band, giving his fellow musicians six months to replace him. He had no clear plan, only a sense that his path lay elsewhere. That path revealed itself through service. After working briefly in retail, Brunson became involved in scouting and mentorship programs, where he discovered a deep connection to working with young people. The experience led him back to school to earn a teaching certification, and he began what would become a distinguished career in education. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brunson taught art in an inner-city high school, transforming what many saw as an under-resourced program into one of the state’s most successful. His students—many from immigrant and low-income families—won national awards and gained opportunities that had previously seemed out of reach.

“There’s incredible talent in places people overlook,” he says. “They just need someone to recognize it and demand their best.” His teaching philosophy was simple but firm: structure, accountability, and respect. “You have to be firm but fair,” he explains. “If you’re not, you won’t have a strong program, and the students won’t respect you.” Brunson later brought that same philosophy to Kendall College of Art and Design, where he established an art education program and eventually served in an administrative leadership role, building international partnerships across Europe and Asia.

Yet another turning point came in 2008, when Brunson first visited San Miguel de Allende. Drawn by the town’s artistic energy and spiritual atmosphere, he began spending increasing amounts of time there before retiring and relocating permanently in 2012. It was in San Miguel that Brunson found his soulmate, who became his wife, Liz Brunson.

After learning that art education was largely absent from public schools in México, he was struck by the missed potential. “I had taught so many talented Mexican students in the U.S.,” he says. “I knew what was possible.” In 2016, Rick and Liz launched a free art program for local youth, initially hosted at the Biblioteca Pública. Brunson funded the program himself, providing all materials and instruction at no cost to students. Admission required a portfolio review and a commitment to attendance and discipline—standards he enforced rigorously.

“Talent is a gift from God. Passion comes from family. But perseverance—that’s the gift you give yourself,” he tells his students.

The program quickly grew, attracting dedicated young artists, some of whom have studied with him for years. Many have gone on to produce remarkable work, gaining confidence and direction along the way. The school is named in honor of Stirling Dickinson, a beloved San Miguel figure known for his humanitarian work. Like Dickinson, Brunson believes in showing up—consistently and compassionately—for the community.

His journey has not been without hardship. He lost his wife, Liz, to cancer in 2022, a profound loss that continues to shape his life. Shortly after her passing, Brunson faced a life-threatening illness that left him temporarily paralyzed. Against the odds, he recovered. Today, he continues to teach, create bronze sculptures, and mentor a new generation of artists in San Miguel. His life—spanning military roots, rock stages, classrooms, and personal trials—has led him to a simple but powerful truth:

“Listen to your intuition,” he says. “It will lead you where you’re meant to go.”