After graduating from the Minerva Academy in Groningen, Rikken made several study trips through Europe. During these trips he learned how to portray the various European landscapes on canvas.

Rikken paints according to 19th-century principles. Entirely in the tradition of the first Impressionists, he works outdoors as much as possible. This method of working enables Rikken to capture the appearance of light, atmosphere and scenery in its purest form. The unusual perspectives and often-intense colours he uses demonstrate that Rikken is a child of his times, despite his admiration for the Old Masters. Light and colour are perhaps the most important elements in the work of artist Ben Rikken. These visual resources play an essential role in his landscapes as well as in his still life paintings.

Rikken taught classical painting at the Academy of Groningen from 2006-2008 and has participated in many group and solo shows over his career. His work has been shown in the Netherlands, Poland, Italy and Japan. Currently, his paintings are held at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, where he had a big exhibition in 2003, the ING bank and in several private collections.