Windblown Tree. Old Head, Co. Mayo

Windblown Tree- oil on Belgium linen on board - 7"x5" - sold
Private Collection New York City.

A beautiful afternoon spent out on Oldhead with my buddy Gilda O' Laoire - walking in the ancient oak forest and the beach, and of course painting.

Gilda is a talented and very gifted cabinet maker here is a link to his blog - http://gildasolaoire.blogspot.com/ . Thanks for the pics Gilda! Hope those oak saplings are taking root :)

Plan to re - post some images over the next few days of paintings I have come back to work on.
Will then slot them into place on the blog http://richardhearnspaintings.blogspot.com/ close to the dates they were created.

- Richard

Across the Bay

Across the Bay - oil on Belgium linen on panel - 7"x5" - sold

Each day I walk passed this point on the bay where a far distant mountain is hugged and framed by two distant sloping hills.
Gestural brush strokes best described the landscape and western sky across the bay.
It can be fun to return to a place you mean to paint and have developed a strong concept around how you might describe the scene.

- Richard

Dawn, Killary Harbour

Dawn, Killary Harbour - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

'An author knows his landscape best; he can stand around, smell the wind, get a feel for his place'. - Tony Hillerman

I couldn't help but think of certain paintings by Paul Henry as I composed this piece.

Am I seeing through his eyes? I am surly studying the same wild landscape, a contemporary reverberation!



The painting above is "Dawn, Killary Harbour (1921)" by Paul Henry (oil on canvas)

- Richard

Misty Morning near Béal an Átha

Misty Morning near Béal an Átha - oil/panel - 12"x9" - sold

On the road that leads towards the north west coast of County Mayo is a wildly beautiful landscape of blanket bog, heather, moss and peat exists. The place has an incredible expansive lost and faraway feeling.

I used the creation of this piece above to experiment with creating a strong feeling of atmospheric distance as well as an opportunity to experiment with varying edges.

Thinking again this morning of Robert Henri I found this quote - 'A mountain seen in the haze of distance must nevertheless look a solid heavy mountain'.

- Richard

Warm Light, West of the Bog, Achill

Warm Light, West of the Bog, Achill - oil on panel - 12"x9"

Since arriving in Co. Mayo last year I have found countless subjects of inspiration in and around the majestic bog lands of Achill island. Achill, as many of you may know, has a strong connection with painting as one of Irelands most iconic painters Paul Henry (11 April 1877 – 24 August 1958) worked there for many years.

The piece above allowed me the opportunity to work towards capturing the unique quality of light to be found on the island. Through the use of this light the scene I found also presented me with a chance to experiment with atmosphere, distance, edges, colour harmony and temperature.
In retrospect the over all composition reminds me vividly of a piece I created in about 2006 which featured a robed figure ( a recurring motif in my early work) in the far distance as he wound around the path which lay before him.

A few weeks ago while visiting a friend on the island I had the opportunity to meet with a local man who had been studying the art works and history of a less known American painter and teacher Robert Henri (25 June 1865 – 12 July 1929). Henri had worked on Achill island intermittently from 1913 . This man knew of a couple of people still living on the island who as children sat for Henri to compose portraits, and of the gentleman who had stretched canvases for Henri while he lived and worked on the island.

During my recent New York solo exhibition I called to a gallery on Park Avenue and to my delight was brought into the store rooms to see a portrait created by Henri of a native Irish girl from Achill island. These portraits which were created by Henri on Achill are absolutely beautiful and most sought after on the international art market.

There are many inspirational artists and past masters which I admire, but for me Robert Henri has to one of the greatest modern thinkers, teachers and creators. I will be sure to study his work and teachings over the coming years to add to my knowledge and love of Art.

- Richard

Lone Tree

Lone Tree - oil/panel - 12"x9" - sold

'There is no art without contemplation'. - Robert Henri

Evening Light over Thatch

Evening Light over Thatch - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

For Purchasing please contact Anne Merrins at The Whitethorn Gallery, Cliften, Connamara, Co. Galway. Gallery Phone + 353 1 (0)9530703

In Green Pastures

In Green Pastures - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Created this oil sketch right up by the old barn close to my cottage.
I had to work quietly, fast and fluidly to capture the scene before me.
No time for sketching here.

Particularly happy with the way I described the cow in a very few strokes of the brush and in how I created a focus and dealt with background.

(will post a better image of the scene in the coming days)

- Richard

The Barn Roof

The Barn Roof - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold
Private Collection New York City.

Above is a sketch in oil made early one bright morning last week. The scene is just up the road from my cottage.

Have been concentrating on painting, reading and getting outdoors into the landscape as much as possible during the day, and at night painting in my cottage from sketches I have created.

With this piece I was interested in portraying the almost beautiful rusting roof of the barn as it contrasted with all the greens that surrounded it, the rhythm I found in the shadows falling from the field posts as well as the sky and road as it ran away almost mirroring itself.

My Internet usage has been limited the last couple of weeks as I have given up my studio space at the Custom House Studios until this coming August. So, don't be surprised if my blog posts of paintings created are a little slow coming. I can assure you that I am working away each day creating and developing as best I can.

Below a photo of my easel, palette and paint box at the ready :)

The Boat Shed & Back to Basics

The Boat Shed - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

So, its back to basics now, working towards further development in my painting and art.
I find the easiest way to do this is to simply dive right back into my painting, which is what I have been doing since my return to Mayo last week from New York.

Every once in a while it is good for me to reflect on what I have achieved in the developmental processes of my work. This in turn develops in me a internal dialogue to which I can respond - a sort of self referral.

Upon my return to Ireland I received a beautiful mail from a teacher and artist who works in the famous Art Students League of New York. His mail was so encouraging, reminding me that "Painting is a journey not a trip, so keep painting and searching for the quality of work you want to produce". I thought the sentiment very beautiful, and it really struck a cord with me in what I strive to achieve through my Art. Thank you Ismael.

Over the past few days I have been enjoying my painting so much. yesterday I worked outdoors all day creating three small studies in oil. The work feels enriched after my trip and experiences in the States.

Looking forward to posting images of new work for you all to see over the coming weeks.

- Richard