The Turf Keep

The Turf Keep - oil on canvas panel - 7"x5" - sold

This painting is available for purchase.
For purchase information please email, info@richardhearns.com 

Two Barrels

Two Barrels - oil on masonite panel -  7"x5" - sold

Another subject for a painting found by an old shed close to the village of Ballyvaughan.
This piece was began last year, but I returned to work on it some more, simplifying the composition by smoothing out the tone on the wall, and then worked on lifting or heightening the colours a little on the rusty barrels.

The painting works on complimentary', the oranges and blues and also reds and greens.
I love the gesture of light that just catches the edge of the water that fills the two barrels.

- Richard

Bath by a Shed Wall

Bath by a Shed Wall- oil on gesso panel - 7"x5" - sold
Private Collection, France

The Patti Kane Gallery - Anam Cara & The Blue Door, Ballyvaughan

The Blue Door, Ballyvaughan - oil on gesso panel - 7"x5" - sold

I'm delighted to let you know that this painting is now on display at the Patti Kane Gallery - Anam Cara, in the beautiful town of Greenwich, Connecticut.

I found this subject wonderfully  interesting, full of character and charm, down a small lane off the main street in Ballyvaughan village. This little hideaway has presented me with many subjects over the past year. It's a special place. I am sure many people pass the lane and never walk down to see whats there.

For purchasing please contact Patti Kane at:

Anam Cara Gallery,
18 Greenwich Ave,
Greenwich, CT 06830.
Phone: +1 203-869-2824

Detail below from The Blue Door, Ballyvaughan.

Sketching through the day

The Blue Bench, Ballyvaughan pier - oil on canvas panel - 7"x5" - sold
Private Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut.

As I mentioned to you in the previous post, all my days this last week have been spent creating small studies or sketches in oil, outdoors. The more you do it I find, the more meaningful subjects you seem to 'see'.
It is such a  rewarding way to spend your day, and I find I learn a great deal about myself and the various concepts that drive me.

The Fairy Thorn, in Contre-jour

The Fairy Thorn, Contre-jour - oil/canvas panel - 7"x5"

Some weeks ago, before I began any recent painting, I sat down and wrote at length about why I paint!
I also wrote about each projected body of work I had planned to create over say the coming year! It was a daunting task, but the exercise proved very helpful indeed, and has in many ways reestablished some strong 'foundational' ideas.

Each envisaged body of work got as long as it needed, with many ideas worked out, questions posed, some answered and a lot of inspirational brain waves captured. So, lets see what transpires.

Here's a short extract on my love of plein air painting:

'Inspired by the works of the great 19th century masters such as Sorrola, Sargent and Anders Zorn as well as and many other contemporary american realist and naturalist painters such as Duane Keiser and Jeremy Lipking, these studies reflect my love of the outdoors and nature, serving as great informers to the development of my studio work'.

'The spontaneity and fluidity as well as accuracy that you can achieve with regard to colour, application and composition through making works like this on an ongoing basis is in my opinion unsurpassed by any other exercise'.

- Richard

The Fairy Thorn, Contre-jour , is available for purchase.
Please contact me for pricing.

Pink & Red Majesty

Pink & Red Majesty - oil on museum board - 12"x9" - sold
Private Collection, Ireland

In the late evening at this time of year the Ailwee mountain behind my studio is cast in this light that turns the limestone an incredible pink. I thought of Corot when I finished this painting. There are three strong defining tones and a great sense of atmosphere. The large tree by the wall really anchors the composition and adds to the sense of majesty.

- Richard

Burren Path, at Jorgensen Fine Art

Burren Path - oil on museum panel - 12"x9" - sold
Private Collection, Ireland

Since arriving back in Ireland I have been easing my way back into my painting practice.
To aid my development in painting I have decided that before I begin each body of work, I must sit down and write a statement about the work, develop concepts, set limits, and ask myself questions about the envisaged work ie. What sorts of genre, formats, and research would aid and best suit the work.

The first work I began was after I wrote about my interest and love of Plein Air landscape painting, or paintings and studies created in the open air.

I'll share this sort blurb with you over the coming days. But first this piece, 'Burren Path', which was worked up from a reference study a couple of weeks ago.

This painting will feature in the Jorgensen Fine Art Group Summer Exhibition which opens on July 25th.
Please do pop into the gallery at 14 Hibernian Way, (just off Dawson Street) Dublin 2, to see my work there.

For purchasing please contact, Ib Jorgensen or Sile Connaghton - Deeny at:
Tel - + 353 1 764 5734
Mobile - + 353 868 569946