Monday, September 29, 2008

Clay Jar at Pretori 5x5in

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In this loose plein air style piece I worked quickly trying to describe and capture the forms and shapes in the landscape. I used the clay jar as my centre of interest.
These wonderful large jars can be found dotted around the hills of a small village called Pretori near the town of Paphos.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Islet near Chamili 5x5in

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I made a detailed plein air study of this Islet very close to the north west most peninsular in Cyprus. I love the pattern and shapes you find in these offshore rocks. I have been really drawn to islands and landforms like this since I was a child.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Seaweed 5x7in

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Seaweeds have so many curious shapes and curves. My main interest while working on this piece was to convay the seaweeds line of growth, its floppy weight and its edges. It made a great subject to study. Hope you like it.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Dock 5x5in

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My main concern with this piece was concentrating on positive and negative shapes, light and warm and cool colours.

I have been drawn to this subject over the past 2 years since I made sketches of a fisherman docking his boat near where I lived in south east Thailand.

Below is a short piece written by Miriam Duggan about a similar piece I made last year.

'One of his strongest features is Richard’s ability to capture light. In Vessel (2007), we see the silhouette of a fisherman with his boat in the last moments of full sun before it starts to set. The sunlight has made the water swollen, as though it were drenched with light and the fisherman seems to be enjoying a moment of quiet contemplation before getting on with finishing the work of the day. The beauty of Vessel comes from its deep evocation of a moment of stillness and ease with simplicity.'

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Near Pano Akourdaleia 5x5in



Pano is the word given to an upper village. The views of the houses and rugged landscape on the roads to these perched villages were just amazing.

I made lots of interesting studies from these vantage points, some of which I used for larger canvases. Will let you know when these big pieces are finished and on my website.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Chapel Agios Minas 5x5in



Chapel, Agios Minas is on the road to Neo Chorio near a forest called Akamas.
I was really taken by the way the light hits the stone work of the buildings in Cyprus.

Climbed a mountain near here called Smigies with amazing views of the Akamas Forest and surrounding coastline. Made some thumbnail sketches there for a painting. Hope to get a start on it over the next week or so.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sky over Anadiou 5x5in

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Made this study of sky and surrounding mountains at Anadiou. A near deserted village.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Near Androlikou 5x5in

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Just on the outskirts of Androlikou, (an abandoned Turkish village) I came across these beautiful warm golden fields of hay dotted with olive trees and various bushes.
I love the 'rhythm' I found in the Cypriot landscape and how the whitewashed houses caught the light as I looked down on the valley.

I made a series of these very loose rhythmical studies. It was great to be able to paint outdoors with the brilliant light dancing across the landscape.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Eucalypts 5x7in



The first image painted in Cyprus was this Eucalypts tree. There are hundreds of these beautiful trees dotted around the village of Polis (in the north west of Cyprus) and a small protected forest of really old Eucalypts close to a stone beach.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Falling Man 5x7in



Hi Guys. Never managed to get to a computer over the last two weeks but I did manage to have a brilliant trip, paint, and get very inspired while in Cyprus.
Will post some images today and put them in some order for you.

Starting this morning with my first piece I made on my trip. I started to paint this piece on September 11th while on the plane travelling to Cyprus! I had been meaning to paint this images for a long time after seeing a documentary called 'The Falling Man' which addressed the 'Jumpers' or people who through themselves out the windows of the twin towers on September 11th 2001.

The photo the painting is based on was taken by an American journalistic photographer called Richard Drew.
This image of 'The Falling Man' had been hanging on my studio wall for about six months and I had even stretched a large elongated canvas so I could explore this haunting and to me strangely peaceful image in paint.
On the morning of my flight (the anniversary of Sept 11th) I decided that this would be a fitting day to pay homage to this image in paint.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Water Lily 5x7in

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Made the sketches of this water lily a couple of weeks ago. I just loved the contrast of the wide white flowers and golden centre against the still dark blueish pond water.

I am off on a trip to the north of Cyprus tomorrow for two weeks. I'll be able to concentrate solely on painting and sun worship while there! I'm sure to find some interesting subjects.
Really looking forward to the little adventure.

So, the next post you recieve should be from 'Prodromi', that is if I can find a computer with internet access!

From now until the exhibition opening on Thursday 23rd of October all pieces are on hold for show.
If you would like to purchase this piece in advance of the show - be the first to send me an e mail info@richardhearns.com and I will hold it for you.To be the first to view new works you can subscribe to my mailing list.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Geranium 5x7in



I made the initial sketch for this piece a few weeks ago at Ardgillian castle. The grounds are full of beautiful flower and herb gardens.
Capturing the delicate and intricate 'Johnson's Blue' Geranium with its cup-shaped lavender blue flowers was an enjoyable challenge. Hope you like it.

This painting is on hold for exhibition.If you would like to purchase this piece in advance of the show - be the first to send me an e mail info@richardhearns.com and I will hold it for you.
To be the first to view new works you can subscribe to my mailing list.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Rose 5x7in

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An orange petalled rose from my back garden. Even with the terrible weather we are having the roses are still blooming beautifully.

This painting is on hold for exhibition.
If you would like to purchase this piece in advance of the show - be the first to send me an e mail info@richardhearns.com and I will hold it for you.

To be the first to view new works you can subscribe to my mailing list.

Have a great weekend.

-Richard

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Fuchsia 5x7in

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Fuchsia from the back of my garden. With this piece I was interested in the amazing complementary colours - the Cerise reds on the plants background of green leaves.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Smirnoff Soldier 5x7in

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This fierce 'Wooden Sergeant Major' calls his Soldiers on parade!
Think he had a few to many vodkas!