Pionk studied the works of Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Antoine Vollon, and Henri Fantin-Latour in particular.
"[3] Born in Moose Lake, Minnesota, Pionk studied with Daniel Green and Sidney Dickinson at the Art Students League of New York.
"[7] Richard C. Pionk, "Grapes and Pears", Oil on Canvas[8] Richard C. Pionk held memberships with the following organizations: Pastel is an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment and a binder.
The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used to produce all colored art media, including oil paints; the binder is of a neutral hue and low saturation.
The color effect of pastels is closer to the natural dry pigments than that of any other process.