Paintings of the Outer Banks Rick Nilson has been a resident of the Outer Banks since 1987. He grew up in the glacial lakes region of South Dakota and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of science degree in landscape architecture. Practicing landscpaes as an architect he picked up a paint brush in 2007 and started painting. He is self taught but has a great background from Texas in design and composition. And enjoys kickin' it back at the beach.