Bringing Gifts

Bringing Gifts - oil/panel - 7"x5"
(study after 'View of Ezbekieh' by French Painter Prosper Marihat 1811 -1847)

Wishing you all a wonderful Happy and Peace filled Christmas and New Years.

- Richard

Near Leenane

Near Leenane, Connemara - oil/panel -7"x5" - sold

Off a Country Road: Winters Evening

Off a Country Road: Winters Evening - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

The Farm House Door

The Farm House Door - oil/panel - 7"x5"

Over the past few weeks and particularly at the recent show opening several people who attended the launch asked about 'availability and purchasing information' of the Art Work posted here on my blog. People expressed that they were unsure what Art Work was available for purchase and what was sold. To date I have worked on a first come basis, and will continue to do so.

I intend over the coming days to attach a 'Purchase' button underneath each new painting posted which will in turn bring you to a page with price, contact and payment information. Works that have been purchased for private collection will have '- sold' directly after the title, below the painting.

Hope you like this recent 'exterior, interior' study in oil above.
For the moment please contact me through this blog, on facebook or by email to info@richardhearns.com for pricing on this piece.

- Richard

Cottage with a Red Door

Cottage with a Red Door - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Created this painting some weeks ago based on a traditional cottage which was close to where I stayed in Ballyvaughan. The cottage was pretty exposed as it was situated up on a clearing near the old pier and I remember walking past it countless times while the rains and wind howled.

Its quite representative and evocative of the recent weather we have been experiencing here in Ireland.

I've just arrived back to Dublin from the west Coast and can't believe the amount of snow that has fallen in the east! I think where I have been situated, near the Atlantic coast, the strong salt air and breeze as well as the gulf stream kept the snow at bay. The mountains were covered but the coast roads have been clear for some days now.

Been working on a couple of commissioned pieces over the past week, so apologies for not getting the time to post to my blog and update you.

Being back in Dublin gives me the opportunity to man the end of my current show.
Want to send out a big thank you to all for the interest, support and encouragement, its been a great success and my website has been getting a record amount hits! For those of you who have been hampered by the weather and were unable to view this show it will continue to run until Friday 17th of December so I would encourage any of you who didn't get a chance to see it to call out to The Fingal County Hall in Swords. The available Art Works would make the most wonderful Christmas presents and are priced for every pocket (budget)!

If you see a piece you like on the blog or on my website http://www.richardhearns.com/
you can contact me at info@richardhearns.com

-Richard

Across a Field

Across a Field - oil/panel -7"x5" - sold

Across a Field' is a recent sketch in oils made in during my time spent in Mayo and was one of the first pieces to sell at my shows opening last night in the County Hall is Swords.

A very special thank you to all who came along to the exhibit on such a bitterly cold night. Its got off to a really great start and am delighted with how the Work has been received and all the encouragement and support I have been shown over the past few days.

To all who didn't get the chance to call last night to the Official opening the show will run until Friday December 17th, so please do pop along to see this 74 piece show of the next couple of weeks.

Any remaining Works may be reserved and purchased by you at the hall by simply putting a red sticker on the corresponding number(s) of the piece(s) and then by leaving your detail in the red visitors book provided. You can then give me a quick call and I will arrange to get the painting(s) to you at the shows commencement.

Of course you can also reserve any available pieces here through this blog on facebook or by email to info@richardhearns.com

Fingal County Hall opening hours are:
Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm

Kindest Regards,
Richard Hearns

The Red and Green Shed

The Red and Green Shed - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Began preparation to hang my latest show yesterday at the County Hall. Its a mammoth space to work in, but am confident that the show will look brilliant.

The piece above will appear in the show along with about 30 other recent miniature studies in oil. I love the textures and atmosphere in this painting. Its such a simple composition but believe I got the scale and positioning of the various elements just right.

Hope you can come along to see this work. The show ' Like a River Flows', opens this Thursday at 6.30pm with a wine reception at the Fingal County Hall in Swords Village, County Dublin.

- Richard

Caher Valley

Caher Valley - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

It's just around the corner! My upcoming exhibition in Dublin, 'Like a River Flows' officially opens this day next week - Thursday 25th of November at 6.30pm in the Fingal County Hall, Swords Village, Co. Dublin.

Really excited about the interest and feedback I have been receiving and can't wait to tackle this space during the installation process. It will be a huge undertaking to hang the show in such a big space but I am sure with a bit of help it can be accomplished.

The Show will be opened by the Mayor of Fingal - Mr Ken Farrell, and will run until Friday 18th of December. Opening hours are Mon – Thurs 9.00 am – 5.00 pm & Fri 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.

This fluid sketch in oil above was created on location in North County Clare at the end of a walk through the beautiful Khyber Pass or Caher River Valley near Fanore.
A whole series of these miniature observational plein air (in open air) sketches in oil will feature in this upcoming show. I hope to tie the various bodies of Work together in this show by using the almost narrative quality of these intimate studies in oil.

All pieces to feature in the show from this blog and my website can be reserved in advance of the opening by contacting me here through the blog group, on facebook or by email to info@richardhearns.com

Western Wall

Western Wall - oil/panel - 5"x5"

These Walls of stone have become a recurrent subject in my Work over the past few years.
In Mayo and during my time spent in Kerry and the Burren I have been studying the walls for all there expressive qualities. The numberless patterns, textures and forms they take really move me.

In my upcoming show, 'Like a River Flows' which opens in ten days time, there will be a great over view on my treatment of this subject. From the repeated large rock island shapes that formed my vision as a young painter in and around Thailand to the more recent exploration of the rocks that surround us here on this island of Ireland.

Hope you can join me at this show to see my Work and enjoy the Wine and Refreshments.
Until then here is a link to a new blog specially created which will feature a selection of the diverse Works of creativity to feature in the upcoming Show. http://www.richardhearns-likeariverflows.blogspot.com/

- Richard

* 'Like a River Flows' - Exhibition Notice

Atlantic Edge - oil on canvas - 40" x 30"

This piece above entitled 'Atlantic Edge' will feature in my upcoming show entitled 'Like a River Flows'. I am using this exhibition to showcase and celebrate a large and very diverse selection of paintings that I have created over the years.

The Official Opening takes place in two weeks time on Thusday 25th of November 2010 in the ultra modern Fingal County Hall in Swords Village, Co. Dublin. Guest Speaker Mr Ken Brown - Mayor of Fingal.

The show will be divided into two main areas. The ground floor will feature more recent Works ranging from Still Life to Interior and Landscape while the second floor will feature a selection of large scale works created both here in Ireland and during time spent in Thailand.

When it comes to painting and image making my creative output has always been very diverse.
I have never allowed myself to become comfortable in any particular style, subject matter or medium. Working this way I feel enables me to really master my chosen craft and means of expression while at the same time keeps a real sense of excitement and achievement.

I think John O' Donohue best sums up this feeling of endless realms of expansion, excitement and artistic endeavor in the following poem.

'I would love to live
Like a river flows,
Carried by the surprise
Of its own unfolding'.

From ' Fluent' by John o' Donohue

The Shadow Mountain

The Shadow Mountain - oil/panel -7"x5" - sold

In the winter night
By the lake edge
A stern breeze makes
The young novices
Of reed bend
Low and bow
To the mystery
Of a shadow-mountain,
Gathered the moment,
The cloud freed the moon.

- John O' Donohue
From a poem entitled 'Decorum'

It never ceases to astonish me how I find titles for my work time and time again. There can be a great sense of a 'connectivity' when I stumble across the written word which seems to encapsulate the piece I have just created. I never put this down to chance but prefer to grab the opportunity to place the two arts together side by side in a complementary fashion.

- Richard

Into the West

Into the West - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

During the last few weeks I have been settling into my new home and studio appointment on the road to Louisburgh near the Old Quay by Clew bay just outside of Westport in Co. Mayo.

It is a breathtaking spot. There are 365 islands in the bay in front of the cottage and the climb to the majestic Croke Patrick mountain is just down the road.

Over the past few weeks my work has been curving back towards and revisiting subject matter of the past - notably 'Figure in Landscape'. With the sea, sky and islands surrounding me in Co. Mayo I feel similar impulses towards the landscape as those I felt during my travels in and around Thailand.

To survive a winter in the west I'm going to really engage with my environment and continue my outdoor gestural sketches in oil with the idea to paint the weather.

Before the week is out I will give you all details of my upcoming solo show - 'Like a River Flows'.

- Richard

Seventh Heaven

Seventh Heaven - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

'Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet'.

- William Butler Yeats

It's been a week or two since I last posted but I promise to update you all with my new Works and news on my most recent studio appointment in Co. Mayo plus information on my upcoming Dublin show entitled 'Like a River Flows' over the next few days.

Best Wishes to all,
- Richard

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Topwards Heaven (part 7) -oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 6) - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 5) - oil/panel -7"x5"

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 4) - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 3) - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 2) - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

Seven Steps Towards Heaven

Seven Steps Towards Heaven (part 1) - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

The Red Chair

The Red Chair - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.” ~Will Rogers

The Falls, Powerscourt

The Falls, Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

A recent quick sketch in oils at the powerscourt waterfall proved inspiring.
Firstly I walked over to the fall with my easel - right under it. The feeling of power it was generating was immense.

Then I fell back to a distance to capture it cutting down through the Wicklow landscape on this misty overcast day - its almost white veins standing out in sharp contrast to the earthy backdrop of rock and foliage.

Wicklow Stream

Wicklow Stream - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

"The same stream of life that runs through the world runs through my veins night and day and dances in rhyhmic measure." - Tagore

The Secret Gate

The Secret Gate - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

*Cameos

Lone cherry - oil/panel - 3"x2.5"

"The rare moment is not the moment when there is something worth looking at, but the moment when we are capable of seeing". - Joseph Wood Krutch

During this last week or so I have been so busy clearing out my studio and attic at the family home. Its a lengthy process as you find all these nostalgic things that you haven't seen in years and cant help yourself but to leaf through old books, read old letters and snuggle old teddies!
I never knew it but I wrote lots of poems when I was younger - from about the age of 11 to 14 years. I had totally forgotten! Wouldn't publish them though!

I also came across old copy books full of drawings and a special reference from my old art
teacher directed towards the National College of Art in Dublin.

From Monday I will be back to my 'sketches in oil' for this my 'Objects of Desire' blog.

Above is the second of my Cameo paintings. There is now a subscribe feature on the Cameos blog so you can keep up to date with this series as it progresses and develops.

Follow this link to read more and subscribe:
'Cameos' - 100 miniature oil paintings by Richard Hearns

*Cameos

No 1 - Crab Apple - oil on panel 3"x2.5"

A new painting project has begun!
For more information on this body of Work please follow the link below to my 'Cameos' blog.

'Cameos' - 100 miniature oil paintings by Richard Hearns

*The Boy from Beirut

'Face the Sunrise', 2003 - photograph - (Ep cover)

Today marks the launch of my 'Boy from Beirut' blog. http://www.theboyfrombeirut.blogspot.com/

Between the years 2000 and 2003 I concentrated largely on creating drawings and making video/sound pieces for installations.
I loved the editing suit and wonderful sound studio I was given access to during my college years in DLIADT.
During those three years I finished four electronic music Ep's.
Tv3 picked up on my music and featured my tracks to promote films such as Buffalo 66 and the series Law and Order.
Donal Dineen also played a track of mine on his popular eclectic music show on Today Fm.

If anybody would like an original 'boy from beirut' cd write to me at info@richardhearns.com with your postal address.

Hope you enjoy these creations and this new blog.

- Richard Hearns
(aka. 'the boy from beirut' )
http://www.theboyfrombeirut.blogspot.com/

Monk's Cottage

Monk's Cottage - oil/panel - 7"x5" - sold

This piece is the first of a two part commission I was recently invited to create.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work on several commissions ranging from private to corporate pieces.

Would you like to commission a unique painting? A commission becomes a sort of collaboration between myself and the person who envisages the commission. I find them a great rewarding challenge - and the patron ends up with a very unique piece that they have had input into. Perhaps you would like to commission a piece from your own garden, a portrait or a still life of special objects with importance to you that I might convey. You could also commission a piece for someone else as a very special present.

Commissioned pieces start from as little as €250.
If you would like a unique commissioned painting made you can contact me here through my blog, on facebook or by email at info@richardhearns.com

- Richard

Burren Horse

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

'A horse is a thing of beauty. None will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor'. - Xenophon

A Burren Wall

A Burren Wall - oil/panel - 5"x5" - sold

Back to my daily 'sketches in oil' now. As much as I love working in the studio, being outdoors presents an altogether more intensely real experience. The wind, fleeting light, sounds and smells create in me a directness in how I work to transcribe that experience of nature in paint.

The last couple of weeks have given me a chance to contemplate my next steps and I now have some pretty strong ideas about how I might approach my next bodies of work when I arrive in the West of Ireland. Will fill you in in more detail soon.

This piece above and the one to follow have found their way into a very important private collection in Pasadena, CA. Best wishes to all the Bacon Family.

- Richard

The Golden Watering Can

The Golden Watering Can - oil/panel - 14"x11" - sold

'As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time'.

Another very recent piece created that does not feature in my current show.
Really fond of this piece in how I managed to control the light and colour temperatures as it reads from left to right.

For purchase information, please email info@richardhearns.com

Bitter Sweet

Bitter Sweet with Lemon, Silver Jug and Spoon - oil on canvas - 12"x12" - sold

Arrived back to Dublin Yesterday from Westport town in Co. Mayo.
My show opened on Thursday last, and has gotten off to a great start.
The opening night was a packed house.

Thanks to all who came along to the Official Opening, especially to those who traveled distances to celebrate the launch with me.
I was really taken with all the beautiful comments left in the visitors book.

The show has now been extended into October, so if any of you are in the west do pop into see the Works on display. The Gallery opens Monday to Saturday - 10am to 6pm.

Recieved some really great news last week while in Mayo.
I have been accepted to be Artist in residence at the Custom House Studios which are situated on the beautiful Westport Quay.

Looking forward now to getting organized and ready to go back West to work for the winter months.

Best wishes,
Richard

The Golden Oil Bottle

The Golden Oil Bottle (Still Life with the Artist's materials) - oil on canvas - 12"x10" - sold

Over the last three days or so I have been working on hanging my exhibition at the High Tide Gallery Boutique in Westport town in Co. Mayo. Hanging a show is always a mammoth task with new problems to solve in each new space but I am delighted to say that the show and Works look wonderful.

People are traveling for all over to attend the launch tonight.

Looking forward to see how all the Work is received - the last two days of preview have been really good with lots of interest and positive feedback.

Please wish me good luck tonight and thank you for all so much for your comments,emails and support during the creation of this body of Work - Richard

Farmers Market Arrangement

Farmers Market Arrangement - oil on canvas - 12"x12" - sold

Really enjoyed the concept I followed in creating this piece. My wife and I set up these various objects after a trip to the local farmers market. My concepts were 'light and shade', as in how much light verses shade and how I might frame the composition using these elements, and then 'think to thin' - relating to the amount of texture used at center of interest to how the light and paint could become less as the picture reads across the canvas.

Can't wait to hang this piece at the upcoming show along with all the other Works created.

The show will open this day week - Thursday the 16th of September at 7pm at the High Tide Gallery on James Street, Westport Town, Co. Mayo.

If you are unable to come along to the show you can reserve any of the available pieces to feature in the show by contacting me through my blog on facebook or by email at info@richardhearns.com

Caravaggio's Dagger

Caravaggio's Dagger - oil on canvas - 12"x10" - sold

For me Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is one of the very greatest painters of all time. I find his works so arresting and can only imagine how his Art was received by the people who commissioned him and the general public at that time.

He worked in a very direct manner 'eyeballing' his subject and then attacking the canvas with paint - absolutely no preliminary drawing was used as a guide - just like the way I love to work.

It was not only his painting methods that were controversial. He was known to always carry with him a sword and a dagger and has been attributed to at least two murders and numerous violent attacks!

This piece was a dream to make. I worked with a limited palette creating as much atmosphere as possible out of these few subjects. The dagger, leafs and colouring remind me of a Caravaggio.

Hope you like it too. - Richard

To get pricing and or reserve this Art Work or any other paintings to feature in my upcoming exhibit 'Objects of Knowledge' you can contact me through my blog on facebook or by email at info@richardhearns.com

Daisy Water

Daisy Water - oil on canvas - 12"x9" - sold

To get pricing and reserve this Art Work or any other paintings to feature in my upcoming exhibit 'Objects of Knowledge' you can contact me through my blog on facebook or by email at info@richardhearns.com

Classic Still Life with Port Bottle and Drapery

Classic Still Life with Port Bottle and Drapery - oil on canvas - 12"x9" - sold

(tribute to Chardin and Leffel) (this painting was created after the original painting entitled 'Texture and Light' by David Leffel.(amended 24th Feb 2014) 

The Golden Pear

The Golden Pear - oil on canvas - 24"x22" - sold

(composition in red and green)

My initial concept for the piece was to paint in reds and greens creating as much atmosphere as possible.

I surrounded the main focal points in strong colour notes and light which in turn gradually moves to shadow as the painting reads from left to right. I really enjoyed the challenge of making the background including some branch and leave shapes appear in the right place by over working in glazes to control the colour temperature.

Any available works can be reserved in advance of my upcoming one man show by contacting me through my blog, on facebook or by email at info@richardhearns.com

Father's Flowers

Father's Flowers - oil on canvas - 24"x18" - sold

Am very fond of this piece as I can remember laying in the shapes and colours effortlessly in sequence.

All these classical still life paintings I am creating are in a sense very abstract as regards my application of paint.

The closer you are to the piece the more you can see and appreciate the piece on a very abstract level - as just dabs of colour, scratches and drips. This way of working really is so satisfying as I am no longer painting objects but 'painting paint itself' and really learning to enjoy the stuff of paint and all its various attributes.

On this day two weeks - Thursday 16th September - my latest solo exhibition of Works will open in the High Tide Gallery on James Street, Westport town, Co. Mayo .

Am really looking forward to getting up there to hang the show with the owners and curators of the gallery, Michael and Mary Cadden.

To preview a selection of Works for this upcoming show follow this link below to my website:

'Objects of Knowledge'.

Any available Works can be reserved in advance of this show by contacting me through my blog, on facebook or email me at info@richardhearns.com

Still Life with Brushes

Still Life with Brushes - oil on canvas - 24"x22" - sold

(tribute to Rembrandt and Leffel) (after the painting 'Composition with Paint Brushes' by David Leffel)
Amended 24th Feb 2014.

For the last two and a half months I have been working here in the Burren by day out in the landscape, creating loose, gestural, plein air 'sketches in oil', and then in the evening time setting up and painting large still life paintings in the studio.

Working this way allows me to loosen and warm up during the day as regards my seeing, brush strokes, and colour mixing while at the same time giving me this vital energy and experience - coming from a sense of being dispatched a remote location which I feel is so vital to an Artist's output. After all, all an artist can do is to bring his life experience to a piece - that's all he has.

There are myriad different ways to feed that experience but for me being out in the landscape is the most informative.

This is the second of my paintings to be posted here on my blog for my upcoming solo show 'Objects of Knowledge'.

To reserve any of these pieces before the shows preview and official opening you can contact me here through the blog, by email or on facebook.

"Objects of Knowledge' - Exhibition Notice

Still Life with Silver and Apples - oil on canvas - 24"x 22" - sold

(tribute to Rembrandt and Kreutz) (after an original painting by Gregg Kreutz) Amended 24th Feb 2014.

Follow this link to see a sneak preview of a selection of Works to appear in my next one man show entitled - 'Objects of Knowledge'.

You can get pricing and reserve any of the available pieces before the commencement of the show by contacting me at info@richardhearns.com or by reply to me through this blog group address or on facebook.

This exhibition of my most recent paintings Officially Opens three weeks from today on Thursday 16th of September 2010 at the High Tide Gallery, James Street, Co. Mayo.

The show will comprise of both large and small observational still life paintings created over the past 6 months along with groupings of my daily sketches in oil.

These Still Life paintings are charged, atmospheric and mysterious, communicating form, light, tone and colour relationships combined with beautiful application in paint.

Hope you enjoy browsing through this Work on my Website. www.richardhearns.com

- Richard

'Objects of Knowledge' - Preview

While the Sun Shines - oil/panel - 7"x5" (framed above)

Thought I would post an image of how I am currently framing up my daily sketches in oil. The frame consists of a beautiful ornate black maple frame that hugs a golden slip frames which in turn joins and protects the painting.

Tomorrow I will be launching a link for you to preview of a selection of my recent Works for my upcoming solo exhibition entitled ‘Objects of Knowledge’.

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