While the Sun Shines

While the Sun Shines - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

"Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished." - Michael Strassfeld

Nocturne

Nocturne - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

'When we feel beauty, we know it as truth'. - Rabindranath Taglore

Among Old Ruins

Among Old Ruins - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Low Tide

Low Tide - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Under the Bridge

Under the Bridge - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

New Life in Greens and Blue

New Life in Greens and Blue - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Ancient Wall, Burren Sky

Ancient Wall, Burren Sky -oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

This piece was created a week or so ago along with four other sketches in oil all made in and around an area of 'the green road' that loops around the back of Cappawalla up and over the hills and down towards Blackhead and Fanore.
Had the most beautiful walk their yesterday - the views of the surrounding landscape are just breathtaking.

A wonderful friend of mine called Xavier who hails form Belgium has used a small illustration I prepared a few years ago for a draft of a children's book to accompany his latest online and soul/funk mix.

Xavier goes by the stage name DJ Courtasock and plays with a big band of acclaimed DJ's and musicians who travel all over the world playing there tunes at the most noted music festivals.
We met in 2006 over in Thailand and have remained great pals ever since.

Here is a link to that mix. As Xavier says 'check it out and spread around' :
http://djcourtasock.podomatic.com/
Some old and new funk tossed together by dj Courtasock with itchy fingerd interventions by :
(in order of appearance)
dj Iron ,dj Raskal,The Gruesome Twosome (Optimus&Vindictive),dj Grazzhoppa

I would also encourage you to 'lively up yourself' by following the links below to see all the amazing work Xavier is involved in.

http://www.myspace.com/djcourtasock

http://www.myspace.com/language_is_a_virus

http://www.myspace.com/beatdrunx

http://www.myspace.com/campinareggae

http://www.djbigband.com/

Congratulations on all your wonderful Work 'Saf'.

This day next month will mark the opening on my next one man show entitled 'Objects of Knowledge' - more on this upcoming show to follow shortly.

- Richard

Landscape in Purple and Yellow

Landscape in Purple and Yellow - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Old Farmstead

Old Farmstead - oil/panel - 5"x5"

In a Sea of Green

Red Boat in a Sea of Green - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Burren Wall

Burren Wall - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Cascading Radiant Light in an Old Ruin

Cascading Radiant Light in an Old Ruin - oil/panel - 12"x9" - sold

The varying patterns of light and dark really interested me here.

How could I describe different kinds of qualities of light in the scene with the one brush?

The Cascading diffused filtered light that lit up the interior of the ruin and created a feeling of space and atmosphere (that would be my center of interest), as well as the strong lights on the grass and upper walls.

And then there was also the light on the not to distant Burren landscape.

A great challenge with my limited palette.

Hope you like it.

- Richard

Detail Below:

Hay Bales

Traditional Hay Bales - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

The Caher Valley

The Caher Valley - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

In Fields of Gold

In Fields of Gold - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

The Set Dancers Cottage

The Set Dancers Cottage - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Don't know if you remember but about this time last year I made a Sketch in oil of the same scene.

Click on the Burren Residency 'categories' link on the right hand sidebar of my blog at - http://richardhearnspaintings.blogspot.com/ and you should be able to find it.

The renowned Set Dancer called Mick Carruchan who is well into his 90th years lives alone in this cottage which greets you on the way out of Ballyvaughan on the road towards Fanore.

I just love the way the cottage is nestled there between the Burren landscape and the waters edge.

- Richard

Last on the Left

Last on the Left - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

The West Wind

The West Wind - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Created this small sketch along a road which leads to the old pier in Ballyvaughan Village.

I had been studying these wind swept trees that cling onto the wall and are left in a permanent arch that grows out eastwards due to the strong west atlantic winds.

Tuscan Path

Tuscan Path - oil/panel - 12"x9"

What a week its been! Back in Burren and all set up in my studio/cottage but only now getting around to access the internet.

With this piece above I worked in a really gestural fashion to capture the light and colour contrasts in the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Its actually the last piece created on my final day in Tuscany but I have a couple more pieces to post shortly from that trip.

Over the next few of days I hope to post images of the last few pieces created in Tuscany.

Then onto more recent works and eventually to the pieces created here.

Currently I am working in the landscape around the Burren during the day and then on quite elaborate still life pieces in the cottage at night time. Can't wait to show you this work.

- Richard

Borgo Bottaia

Shadow and Light at the Borgo Bottaia - oil/panel -12"x9" - sold

Was so drawn to the shapes of shadow and light cast in and around the Borgo each day. The arches, roofs and high terrace walls made such interesting shapes.
But my main centre of interest here was the way I would lead the eye up through the lane towards the Urn and small flower pots out towards the not to distant Tuscan hill and blue sky overhead.

This morning I leave for the west of Ireland to paint for two months in preparation for my next solo exhibition which will take place around the end of August in the beautiful town of Westport, Co. Mayo. I will be working from the same cottage in the village of Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare where I spent some time last year. I am so excited to get back to the Burren.

Looking forward to posting images of works created there over the coming months.

Wish me luck.

Best wishes,
Richard