"Richard Whitley's approach to his art mirrors his teaching methodology: it is firmly rooted in discipline.

A visit to Whiteley’s studio alone provides sufficient evidence. He maintains a logbook detailing each piece, including materials, annealing parameters such as time and temperature, and other information about the methods. In short, he tracks everything he needs to learn from both his successes and failures. His works are a deliberate evolution from concept to drawings to models, all of which guide the process towards reaching his artistic visions. Even more subtly, his personal studio is expertly organized, including proper accounting, as though a master plan is at work"