A native of Texas, Richard Manning Crisler was inspired as a teenager in New Mexico by the Taos Society of Artists. The artist group served as mentors and critics of his work. He studied briefly at the Chicago Art Institute and his work was exhibited there in 1931, 1932 (prize) and 1933. His work was exhibited in solo shows in Dallas and Houston and in the Palmolive Building in Chicago. Crisler's career was cut short by his death in 1933.