Cottage Reflection

Cottage Reflection - oil on canvas - 14"x10" - sold

After long walks I find myself more 'tuned in' and looser in my approach and application when it comes to my handling of paint - just saying enough in describing with the quickest and simplest of strokes. The images I create in this fashion I feel are evocative and resonate more energy as though they are painting themselves.

Tomorrow morning I leave to take up residency back at the cottage studio in Cill Rialaig. This will be my third residency in Cill Rialaig this year and I am so delighted to be asked back and afforded this opportunity to work in such a special place.

On January 6th an RTE nationwide tv crew are coming to meet me in studio to document my art and work practice. Will let you know when the documentary is being aired.

I should be returning to Dublin on the 12th of January and will update you on the work I have made. Until then I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

- Richard

Winter Stacks

Winter Stacks, Cill Rialaig, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry - 10"x5" - sold

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been following my work and for all the beautiful, kind and encouraging emails I have received. It is an incredible feeling to be able to work at what I feel so passionately about.

Arriving back in Cill Rialaig a couple of weeks ago gave me a chance to experience the landscape in the middle of winter.

I was so delighted to find the haystacks still standing across the path from my cottage that I decided to create this small diptych in which I attempted to convey the bright, low winter sun at its crispest and most intense.

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

-Richard

Candle and Jug

Candle and Jug -oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

My main concepts in approaching this quick study was to simplify shapes and create it using three tones and as little colour as possible.

Hope you like it.

Satsumas

Satsumas - oil/panel - 7"x5"- sold

During my time in Cill Rialaig I concentrated mostly on larger still life pieces and landscape painting but in the evenings if I had the energy after a full days work in the studio I would create a quick study like this. It was nice to get something else made at the last minute before hitting the bed!

Today marks the last day of my show exhibition at the Grange Gallery which has run now for over a month. The response to the show has been really great. Thanks to all for your kind comments and support during the exhibition.

Anyone who has purchased work(s) from the show and has yet to pick the piece(s) up can contact me directly at info@richardhearns.com or can call into the gallery today between now and 6.30pm.

Many thanks.

-Richard

Alla Prima

The majority of my paintings, especially the pieces that feature here on my blog are painted 'Alla Prima'.

'Alla Prima' refers to a painting finished in one session that captures the appearance on an object(s) or scene in one unglazed, painted layer.

Most of my works including very large pieces created over the past few years have been made in this fashion.
So if I was to attempt to categorize the way in which I work or the way in which my pieces come about in relation to painting techniques - this would be it - a kind of 'non technique', done in a direct, expressive style, with minimal preparation.

Working this way I feel keeps the paint and painting alive - the brush strokes retain a resonance and energy, and it leaves me feeling.. refreshed!

-Richard

The Red Fruit Plate

The Red Fruit Plate - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Bagged Chillies

Bagged Chillies with thumb tack - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Just arrived back to Dublin after my second two week residency in studio at the Cill Rialaig Art Foundation in Co. Kerry.
I have to say its all a bit of a shock arriving back to Dublin traffic and bright lights, not to mention a telly and a computer!

Having kept myself occupied for two weeks in studio on a cliffs edge with some paint and brushes, Lyric fm and a turf fire to keep stacked this is all a bit to much to cope with!
Anyway I'll manage, and will admit missing sending out my finished works for you all to see.

So here we are - what I intend to do is to post all the observational still life paintings made over the last weeks. Then concentrate on sending out a body of work dealing with the landscape which I made in my studio in Cill Rialaig from memory and some 'plein air' pieces created in and around the magnificent Ballinskeilligs and cliffs at Bolus head.

The piece above was the first completed piece made on the night of arrival at my studio.
I was attracted to the idea of describing these beautiful colourful chillies. They were sitting side by side in this dark triangular package and decided to thumb tack the package to the wall and make a study from there.

Hope you like it.
- Richard

Red in Blue on Red

Red in Blue on Red (still life with Thai red chillies and blue ceramic) -oil/panel- 7"x5" - sold