Red Apple with Mandolin & Hand Turned Bowl

Red Apple with Mandolin and Hand Turned Bowl - oil on canvas - 20"x 14" - sold

The past few days have been spent painting outside in the glorious weather that we have been having here in Ireland. Painting en plein air has to be for me the most enjoyable, challanging and rewarding way to create. It's so energizing, and I really feel improvments with every piece I make when outdoors.

The reason for this being that, I find you really have to focus, edit and keep your initial concept and inspiration pure and in the forefront of your minds eye in order for the piece to 'sing' and come across as I envisaged at the outset.

Can't wait to show you all these sketches in oil over the coming of weeks.

This classical still life painting above was started some time ago. Painting outdoors during the day helps me to focus well and I feel fine tuned and loosened up in the evening to work on pieces like this.

Here is a studio shot of the piece in process below:

Classical Arrangement & Export Grant Success

Classical Arrangement (tribute to Rembrandt and Kreutz) - oil on canvas - 42"x32" - Sold


This large piece was finished some days ago. The opportunity to Work big like this is so exciting and freeing. It transports me right into the piece as I am totally immersed and surrounded by the canvas. The painting was created in a really rhythmical way as regards my brush strokes, notes of colour and its overall orchestration. At no time do I labour in one area. I consistently move my brush around the canvas building up all the various facades and elements simultaneously. I believe the result of this intuitive and largely unplanned orchestration gives a vibrant, living, breathing effect that resonates from the painting. I wish you could see it in real life as the camera and screen never fully realises all the subtle nuances, textures and the overall alchemy that is contained and transmuted.
On another topic I have some great news to share with you all! The Fingal County Enterprise Board have awarded me with a 'First Time Exporter Initiative & Export Grant', to help towards my upcoming Solo Expo which takes place in New York City at the end of May! Can't wait to give you all the details about this show in the coming weeks, and would encourage any young Fingal people with a business plan for expanding existing overseas sales to get in touch with the FCEB. My Special Thanks to Ms. Carmel O' Carroll & Mr. Keith Brock Assistant CEO at the FCEB.
Click on these hi resolution details below to enlarge.

Monochrome Arrangement

Monochrome Arrangement with Jug, Stout bottle and Biscuit Tin - oil/panel - 12"x9" - sold

Cottage Interior with cut Lemons

Cottage Interior with cut Lemons - oil on canvas - 12"x9" - sold

Another piece that I began some time ago but have only come to resolve recently.

In fact its over a year since I sat in near darkness at the corner of my pre-famine cottage/studio at the Cill Rialaig Art project in Co. Kerry.

It was colour against colourlessness and the atmosphere of the interior that I wanted to capture. The beam of light coming through the cottage door and window excited me and could not be ignored as I felt its presence would bring a strong sense of balance to the composition.

- Richard

Accordion and the Composers Baton

Accordion and The Composers Baton - oil on canvas - 16"x12" - sold

Really enjoyed composing this piece. A couple of the local pubs have been interested and kind enough to loan me some really beautiful antique bottles, jars and instruments to accompany me in my studio.

Here is a Studio Shot of the 'Accordion and The Composers Baton' set up while the piece was taking form.

Warm Light

Warm Light - oil on canvas - 12"x12" - sold

(composition in ochres and blue with brushes, white roses and stout bottle)

Paint Tube and Onions

Paint Tube and Onions - oil on canvas - 12"x9" - sold

This piece has been in the making for some time now. Over a year in fact! It's not often that a painting will sit in my studio for an extended period but this piece just wouldn't pull together for me. I started to compose the piece in a triangular composition made up of the red onions and a piece of dill herb which lead your eye up into the centre of interest. But all along the composition felt weak.

It took me some time to identify what was not working and to come up with solutions for a better piece. Am really happy with how it has turned out now and how I dealt with problems of colour, space, and how I wanted the painting read in general.

If at first you don't succeed, Try Try again! :)