White Roses

White Roses, 2016
oil on linen - 60x60cm

As I'm writing this short note I'm looking into a space where light flows into the studio through a north facing window. This is a place where I often choose to set up an object(s) to be observed.

In this corner of the studio I've created a large wooden frame, big enough to walk into, where I can control and almost eliminated any reflected light in the space by hanging neutral coloured fabrics, mostly off white duck cotton or grey linen, and observe just one natural light source without too much interference. This soft and almost diffused daylight is in my opinion most captivating in the early morning when it casts a cool and often crisp light followed by deep soft warm shadows. It's then I come into the studio to start my days work.

If you think of the atmosphere in many of Vermeer's interiors - the light streaming in and illuminating the room from the left - the space in many ways is something akin to this.

The painting of these roses where made in this space as were my previous paintings entitled 'Container', 'The Golden Gloves' and The Artist's Boot's. I look forward to share with you more images from this series over the coming year.

- Richard
www.richardhearns.com

The Artist's Boots, 2016.

'Dear Family and Friends, Have a Wonderful Weekend'!

The Artist's Boots, 2016

oil on canvas - 40x40cm

Private Collection, Ireland.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Golden Gloves, 2016.

The Golden Gloves, 2016
oil on linen canvas - 80x60cm

In the second of my new works for 2016 I returned to a familiar subject. My Grandfathers boxing gloves, which hang on the wall of my studio, were left to me upon his passing in 1994. 

In August 2014 I created a smaller sketch in oils of this personal and iconic symbol. I hope placing a broken egg shell under the gloves in the original composition would contrast the sometimes violent sport and my gentle Papa while at the same time evoking the idea of the fragility of life and the dreams we create.

These gloves were worn by my grandfather Dick Hearns when boxing for Ireland v USA at Soldier Field, Chicago, in 1933.

Dick fought Max Marek in the light heavyweight division.  Marek had defeated the legendary Joe Louis in the final of the US Amateur Championships that year.  Louis became one of the greatest Heavyweight Champions of the world.

The following is an extract from the report of the match in The Chicago Tribune -

"The 40,000 patrons put up a terrible squawk when the decision was given to Max Marek, veteran Chicago lightheavyweight, over Dick Hearns of Ireland.  This happened to be the bout which clinched the championship for the US and though Phil Collins the referee, decided for Hearns and properly so, the judges gave it to Marek.

Though the decision went to Marek, giving the US a certain victory, the crowd did not take kindly to the decision.  Hearns traded punch for punch with Marek all the way and the margin, if there was one in this bout, might have been given to the Irish lad.  Certainly the crowd seemed to think so, for it seemed as if 40,000 varieties of booing, stamping of feet and plain and ordinary squawking resounded through Soldier Field for a long time making the introduction of the heavyweights who fought in the closing bout an impossibility".

Dick Hearns was my Grandad.

Friday, March 4, 2016

New Works: Container 2016

Container, 2016 
oil on linen canvas - 80x60cm

Just put my signature to this painting which is the first in a series of recently finished representational still life paintings. 

Created in my studio the painting along with several others were began several months ago.

I have much news to share with you about my travels and recent experiences in my practice. But I just want to concentrate on my work for now. 

- Richard