THE Brisbane music and art scene is grieving the loss of newspaper photographer Ric Frearson, who died suddenly at the weekend, aged 57.

Frearson was a much-loved News Corp staff member who was also known for setting up the popular Ric’s Cafe Bar in Fortitude Valley in 1993.

media_camera Ric’s Cafe-Bar in Fortitude Valley took its name from Frearson.

Frearson was the consummate photographer who knew he would join the profession even before leaving school in Lismore in 1979.

His passion became a reality and he started work on The Northern Star a daily newspaper, completing a cadetship and then after a few years arrived in Brisbane as a student at the Queensland College of Art.

Art and creating was what drove him and he exhibited widely.

When he started the eponymous Ric’s Cafe Bar in the Valley with ex-wife Jai Ogilvie, it soon rose as a venue for the arts and exhibitions in Brisbane.

media_camera Ric’s Cafe Bar in Fortitude Valley.

Ric’s Cafe Bar originally traded as a cafe but morphed into a bar using the pub licence from the Royal George Hotel.

At first, Frearson had his paintings on the walls and as time went on, the venue grew into a gallery with monthly exhibition openings.

Music was a big part of his life which went down well when mixed with the beer garden setting and art exhibitions.

Ric’s Bar still exists in The Valley Mall.

He started working in the Brisbane newspaper industry in 1995 for papers including City News and was the chief photographer for Quest Community News until last year when he made a sea change and moved to the Sunshine Coast.

media_camera Photographer Ric Frearson died of a heart attack.

Recently, he worked as a freelance photographer for News Corp, taking photos for The Courier-Mail, Sunday Mail and Brisbane News.

Courier-Mail picture editor Bruce Long paid tribute to his friend and colleague.

“Ric was a caring, gentle giant who always gave his time freely to others,” Mr Long said.

“He was sought after for his great creative flair behind the lens and will be remembered by his colleagues for his warm and friendly style and his ability to turn the ordinary into something special. His infectious smile will be missed.”

His former wife Michelle Greer also paid tribute to “such a wonderful loving father”.

Frearson is survived by his daughters Georgia and Jessica and stepson Johnathan.