Richard Hearns

Richard Hearns graduated from NCAD in 2004. He views painting as an honest craft that requires study, hard-work and commitment. This work-ethic provides him with a solid platform to express himself, his creativity, his thoughts and his feelings. He is currently exploring the world of traditional oil painting – its history, techniques, media and pioneers.

He’s inspired by the works of Sargent, Orpen, Henry and Henri and aspires to reach their levels of proficiency, no matter how colossal the challenge may seem.Richard’s energy and enthusiasm define him as a person and fuel his insatiable pursuit of excellence. His landscape, still-life and figurative work will continue to evolve as life, art and experience continue to shape his world.

“There exists a credible quality to the language of painting – a credible quality to the inwardness of the thing. Getting excited by the truthfulness of something or something unexpectedly presented in a visual conundrum (language). This has always been of excitement to me. Over the past few years my immediate surrounding and the places I encountered have become an even greater catalyst or spring board for me to create a visual story or narrative.

I have been occupied with recording or reflecting places along the path of my life’s journey. In ancient Irish society the poets and artists were considered more powerful then the leaders and in modern Ireland we still to some degree venerate creativity in our culture. During my time spent abroad my sense of place and attachment to place has become even more pronounced, it becomes an even more vital aspect for me.

My time spent on Ireland’s west coast, from the vast and wild Atlantic views from Bolas head in Kerry, to the expansive plains of north County Mayo and the contrasting lush and arid landscape of the Burren in County Clare, my work has been ‘Reflecting’ what I meet along the road.”