Preparedness and Process

It seems to me that I spend a huge about of time and energy organising and reorganising my studio space. Cleaning my brushes, scraping cleaning and relaying my palettes, preparing my mediums etc etc. About every third or forth day I find I'm just surrounded by debri and need to organise my space and materials again. I do this in order to be more clear, focused, efficient and creative with my time. It's a catch twenty two really because in order to be more creative and efficient time wise I have to invest a lot of time in getting prepared!

I remember seeing a film of Gerhard Richter at work in his studio some years ago. Anytime he put his brushes down and took a break from work his assistant would reorganise the space for him. I was madly jealous! Well you know what they say, all good things come to those who wait!

Here's a shot of one of my compositions currently in process.

Hope you enjoy this glimpse.

Still Life over Killary Harbour

I spent close to a year living and working in Westport in 2011. I kept a studio at the Custom House Studios close to the quay. Most weeks myself and Boo would drive out the coast road along Clewbay towards Louisburgh and Leenaun which is situated on the shores of the Killary Harbour fjord and close to the ancient woods near the Maam valley. We loved walking there even in the dead of winter!

I had this landscape piece worked up, but only brought it to a finish recently.
It's a view across the harbour towards Ben Gorm mountain. I think the combination of landscape and these objects works well together with the three mountains in the background echoed by the three major objects in the foreground.

Still Life over Killary Harbour - oil on canvas - 38"x30"

Old Games

Just finished this large piece the week before last.
There was a great deal of careful observation and drawing in order to make this painting what it is.
Combined in a sort of triangular arrangement each object has been lovingly rendered through my observation of the flow of cool north light and preceding warm shadows.
I hope you like it.

Old Games - oil on linen - 40"x32"
Below also, an image of the work during it's creation to give you an idea of scale.

The Finished Piece.

What is Absent is Present - oil on canvas - 39"x31"

What is Absent is Present

What is Absent is Present - oil on canvas - 39"x31"

Untitled

Untitled, Brush Bowl and Tube - oil on panel - sold
Private Collection,  Holliston, Massachusetts

Brand New, Second Hand

Brand New, Second Hand - oil on panel - 12"x9"

This piece, which I created as part of a series of works made in Germany, actually got damaged in transit on my way home to Ireland!

As an artist I am really interested in all the facets and pictorial elements of traditional oil painting eg. composition, drawing, values, edges, colour and light etc.
In paintings, the 'edges' of objects and forms can powerfully convey certain ideas and create illusions. In the case of this painting, the illusion of the 'pristine' and the 'used'.

- Richard

SEPIL Commission 012 - The Welding Inspector

The Welding Inspector -The Pipe - Corrib Gas Project, County Mayo'- oil on canvas

This painting depicts Rodger Hutchinson, a Welding Inspector of the onshore pipeline at the Corrib Gas Project in County Mayo.  Rodger very kindly allowed me access to a welders habitat to meet and see the welders at work. The chance to spend time in the welders environment has been for me one of the highlights of being on site at the Corrib Gas Project to date. 

- Richard