Jason Rich was raised on a horse farm in Prestion, Idaho. He had an early fascination with drawing. He studied art at Utah State University, and earned a post-graduate degree in art. Rich spent a year teaching high school art in Preston, but his desire to devote more time to painting persisted. He decided to pursue art full time while working on his mater's degree. By the time he earned his degree in 1988, his career was in full bloom.