The Italian Coffee Pot

The Italian Coffee Pot - oil/panel - 12"x9"
Private Collection, New York

Tuscan Rose on Hand Turned Bowl

Tuscan Rose on Hand Turned Bowl - 5"x5" - sold

This piece above is one of the last little studies created during the recent trip to Tuscany.

It contains nice variations of texture and subtle shifts in tone which I feel conveys an overall delicate atmosphere.

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.

On the Sill

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On the Sill - oil/panel - 12"x9"

This delineated, almost graphic depiction of a cherry blossom branch was created a few days ago.
I was interested in exploring line and shape and not being overly descriptive but just laying in colour and form in a general playful sequence.

This piece marks the 301st painting to be posted this blog to date. Looking forward to the next 301!

- Richard

Cut Yellow Tulips with Watering Pot

Cut Yellow Tulips with Watering Pot - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

The Corner Pot

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

This is the last of three little studies I made in the back garden a couple of days ago starting with ' The Old Watering Can'.

With this piece above I was drawn to all the various strong positive and negative shapes created by the intense light and I worked quickly to capture them before the sun moved along its path westwards and cast this whole corner of the patio into shade.

Tomorrow morning I am heading off to beautiful Barcelona for a week and do hope to create some work while there. May get a chance to post one more piece made here before I hit the road.

- Richard

Cut Tulips

Cut Tulips - oil/panel - 7"x5"

Silver Pettles

Silver Pettles (tribute to Kreutz) - oil on canvas - 12"x10" - sold

Composition in Green and White

Composition in Green and White (tribute to Chardin and Leffel) - oil on canvas - 12"x10" - sold

As I was discussing in my previous post, my application of paint is I feel becoming improved by studying some masters paintings. I often go into the National Gallery to look at the one Sorolla painting they have there. The boldness and fluency of his brush strokes in this particular piece are just amazing.

I get excited by paint. I love to see the stuff of paint descriptively put on the canvas.

In illustrations or highly finished paintings you may admire the technique for a moment but I feel there is nowhere for you to become evolved - its all spelt out for you.
In this kind of work the image is 'all done' - there is no place for you to get into the painting. There is little or no sensitivity - no mystery.
With paintings like these - I see it, I admire the technique but beyond that there is not much interest - no real emotional contact. It just becomes something I admire because of the technique.

In an Artists painting as appose to an illustrators painting, I feel you are aware of the technique but that's not what is engaging you - its something deeper in the nervous system.

Artists like Sorolla, Chardin, Velasquez and Rembrandt were able, through increased sensitivity to distill reality with a poignant force through there nervous systems.
This is what I feel I have been continually endeavouring to cultivate over the years in my work.
And to keep this sort of engagement and sensitivity alive I have to, through my work, subject matter, media and inspiration constantly challenge myself - expand, evolve, and elevate.

Red Berries

Red Berries - oil on canvas - 12"x12" - sold
Received word yesterday from Maria Mullarky at RTE television that the documentary on my Work is in its final stages of being edited and will air on Friday the 26th of March as part of the 'Nationwide' programme.
The following day, Saturday the 27th marks the opening of a solo exhibition of my work.
Will have more details to send you soon about that show.

-Richard

The Japanese Vase

The Japanese Vase (tribute to Chardin and Leffel) - oil on canvas - 12"x10" - sold




(Detail)

Delft Blue Bowl and Orchids

Delft Blue Bowl and Orchids - oil on canvas - 12"x12" - sold

Resting Lilium

Resting Lilium - oil/canvas panel - 7"x5"

'..these lilies spring up like our orchids fair and careless and singing with colour'.

Will you be my Valentine?

Will you be my Valentine? - oil/canvas panel - 7"x5" - sold

The Black Kettle

The Black Kettle - oil on canvas - 16"x16" - sold

Arrived home yesterday after completing my first artist residency of 2010.
The days were mostly bright and crisp over the new year with clear views of the snow covered Kerry mountains.
During my time spent there I worked mostly on large still life paintings and on some very large landscapes towards the end.

RTE television came to visit me and document my work a few days ago.
It was a brilliant experience for me and the crew made the days shooting very comfortable and enjoyable. The documentary will feature on 'RTE Nationwide' in March or April.
Will let you all know when it is due to be aired.

The stone built and thatched meeting house near my studio in the small pre-famine village of Cill Rialaig is full of nostalgic items of old. Found this beautiful traditional farm house kettle down by the large open fire place.

Hope you like this piece.
-Richard

White Flower Essence

White Flower Essence - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Wrapped Pink Rose

Wrapped Pink Rose - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

The Wedding Bouquet

The Wedding Bouquet - oil/panel - 7"x5"

As some of you may know I got married a couple of weeks ago to my partner of five years, Rapeepan Lapromma or 'Pu', as most of you know her by her pet name. Had an absolutely wonderful day and have just returned home last night after a weeks honeymoon in Madrid.

The Spanish capital was just awe inspiring not to mention extremely romantic!

We really got around visiting all the Art museums ( my favorite place to be other then the studio), including El Prado, The Museo Thyssen and Reina Sofia which we visited yesterday to see Picasso's 'Guernica', while not forgetting all the sites and restaurants ( Pu's favorite place to be)!

Above is another study of The Wedding Bouquet - this time I cropped in to concentrate my efforts on describing, even more, the dramatic light, textures and tonal shifts across the flowers.

The Bouquet

The Bouquet - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold