The Rose Pot

The Rose Pot - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Summer Greens

Summer Greens - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

A playful little study created upon returning to Ireland.

Tuscan Path

Tuscan Path - oil/panel - 12"x9"

What a week its been! Back in Burren and all set up in my studio/cottage but only now getting around to access the internet.

With this piece above I worked in a really gestural fashion to capture the light and colour contrasts in the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Its actually the last piece created on my final day in Tuscany but I have a couple more pieces to post shortly from that trip.

Over the next few of days I hope to post images of the last few pieces created in Tuscany.

Then onto more recent works and eventually to the pieces created here.

Currently I am working in the landscape around the Burren during the day and then on quite elaborate still life pieces in the cottage at night time. Can't wait to show you this work.

- Richard

Borgo Bottaia

Shadow and Light at the Borgo Bottaia - oil/panel -12"x9" - sold

Was so drawn to the shapes of shadow and light cast in and around the Borgo each day. The arches, roofs and high terrace walls made such interesting shapes.
But my main centre of interest here was the way I would lead the eye up through the lane towards the Urn and small flower pots out towards the not to distant Tuscan hill and blue sky overhead.

This morning I leave for the west of Ireland to paint for two months in preparation for my next solo exhibition which will take place around the end of August in the beautiful town of Westport, Co. Mayo. I will be working from the same cottage in the village of Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare where I spent some time last year. I am so excited to get back to the Burren.

Looking forward to posting images of works created there over the coming months.

Wish me luck.

Best wishes,
Richard

The Tuscan Urn

The Tuscan Urn - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

This beautiful coiled red clay ceramic Urn with a cactus like plant greeted me at the top of a long path on the way to my apartment at the Borgo in Grassina.

The colours, shape and worn texture of the Urn grabbed my attention from the outset, so one morning I sat out bathed in light with the walls and lanes cast into long and luminous shadow.

Luigi's Car

Luigi's Car - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Chianti

Chianti, Tuscany - oil/panel - 5"x5"

Loose descriptive brush strokes and scumbled marks on my panel best described the balmy Tuscan landscape that stretched out in front of me from Grassina over the idyll of vineyards, hills and ancient villages of the Chianti region towards the distant mountains and Siena.

L' Arco

L' Arco (The Arch) - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

The quality of light in Tuscany is truly amazing and from my time spent there I can clearly see why so many artists would be attracted to work in such an environment.

Warm light cascading over walls gave cool highlights, and strong contrasting shapes of light and dark appeared everywhere in the early morning hours, while in the late evenings a cooler light created warmer and even more luminous soft long stretching shadows that reached out everywhere.

Walking under this beautiful Arch each day towards the gardens in the background was so inviting. The scene just had to be captured.

Towards Grassina, Tuscany

Towards Grassina, Tuscany - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Just arrived home on Saturday after a two week stay in Tuscany, Italy.

Firstly I would like to take the opportunity to thank Jack and Karrie for inviting me to the most wonderful and magical wedding. I am so honoured to have been able to share that with you both and will remember our time spent there with immense happiness and fondness.

I found the light, landscape and the people there to be a constant source of inspiration and managed to create 11 pieces during my stay close to the little village of Grassina located on the northern tip of the Chianti region.

Experimenting throughout the holiday, I used a limited palette of 4 colours of which I combined a rose red, cool yellow and french ultramarine blue.

The piece above is the first painting I made from just outside the villa where we stayed.

The vista was magnificent - with vineyards, soft rolling hills and cypress trees leading out towards the distant mountains.

Hope you Like it.

- Richard