In the winter of 1969 Robert Elkon of the Robert Elkon Gallery (then located at 1063 Madison Avenue) invited Ridenhour to exhibit two large canvasses in a spring Group Show. Subsequently, he showed new work at the Elkon Gallery in Group Shows through 1971 and was commissioned in 1972 for his first one man show. Elkon became the primary Dealer of Ridenhour Paintings featuring his work constantly in Individual shows and Group shows for the next eleven years. The Painter was challenged by the Dealer to provide something New, in style and scope at each viewing. This aggressive symbiotic friendship produced some of Ridenhour's most diverse yet interestingly, identifiable Works of his early career. Reviews in The New York Times, Art News, Art in America and other newspapers and periodicals were very positive. At his 1982 Solo show the Art critic/historian Linda Cathcart called Ridenhour "the most important young Painter of his generation"! While planning another Solo show exhibiting exciting new Paintings and a retrospective of earlier work in order to showcase his depth, range and vision Mr Elkon became ill and died. Ridenhour was devastated, and the ensuing scramble by other Dealers and the stark hustle of the business side of being an Internationally known Painter was the beginning of his disillusionment with the New York Art scene.

Courtesy the Ridenhour Foundation