how to remove ceiling light fixture

It should just pull down, but it *is* going to fight you because it's spring loaded.

There are probably two V-shaped springs that go into a small slot and then expand to hold the ring tight to the ceiling,

However, with that said, there is no guarentee that you won't pull some paint off with it. You could try running a blade around/just under the ring to cut any stuck paint as a precaution.

You could also try sliding the ring from side to side a bit. If it slides, then odds are it's not stuck to the paint.

Good luck!

In addition to the above, using a plastic putty knife would be my tool of choice to try to pry it. Plastic is less likely to damage the ceiling. If that doesn't work, then a steel putty knife.

In addition to what DD03 and Trader said, you can often push the glass up slightly and get a screwdriver tip between the glass and trim, which gives something to pull on

What everyone else said is 100% correct

Thanks Oren,bob, RBM,trader4 and DerbyDad !!! I will use your info to remove it.