Richard O'Connell
Richard O'Connell

Artist Statement

My artwork covers three areas:

Landscape and Coastal themes
Mythological themes
Commissional artwork

My oil paintings focus on colour and form.
My newest paintings focus on the dynamic relationships of complimentary colours.

My interest in mythological subjects centres on Celtic themes. I interpret those themes head and the role of women in world myths. My interest in landcscapes and the natural world is often the starting point for a picture. I tend to work in spurts and make a lot of preparational work before starting a painting. I hate wasting materials and spend a lot of ttime thinking on what to do. I do destroy works often reluctantly. It results in not having a lot of work about the studio.

My commissional work ranges from book ilustrations to portraits and topographical views. I like my pictures to have a home to go to and not be stored away and forgotten. Commissions (if successful) can be a very satisfying experiencefor artist and collector.

Underpinning all my artwork is a commitment to drawing and in particular in the life room. I still carry a sketchbook and feel lost without one about my bag, pocket, coat etc.

Statement for 'Islands and Horizons'

Islands occupy the horizon like blots and smuges on a pencil line. Constantly changing weather patterns give them no fixed identity. Prospero-like they lead a tempestuous life accommodating a vast variety of moods, emotions and thoughts.

These paintings are about colour and form. As the paintings progressed I became more aware of colour and its chromatic possibilities.
Edges and perimeters of form and shape were lost to big, slabbing strokes of the palette knife.
Aiding it all were convenient accidental splashes and spillages of paint.

The subject matter ranges from the female nude on the foreshore to tidal waves and imaginary islands in tropical environments.

It is a subject dealing with demanding and challenging situations that involve feelings of isolation, solitarinesss, hope and endurance.

CV

Born in Mumbles, Swansea.

Art Schools attended
Swansea Collage of Art 1965-66
Norwich School of Art 1966 - 69
Ruskin School of drawing, Oxford University 1872-74

Solo Shows

St David's Hall, Cardiff. Paintings of Cardiff Bay 1989
Turner House Gallery, Penarth. Penarth seafront 1894-1994
St David's Hall, Cardiff Cardiff Carnival Parades 1995
Washington Gallery, Penarth. Celtic! 2001
Washington Gallery, Penarth. Penarth and Adelaide 2007
The theatre, chipping Norton, Oxon. Cotswold Landscapes 2009

Group Shows

Marlborough Fine Art, London with Graham Sutherland 1974
Albany Gallery, Cardiff. Welsh Artists 2002
The National Assembly, Cardiff. Vale of Glamorgan Artists 2004
Newport Museum and Art Gallery, Vale of Glamorgan Artists. 2006
St. David's hall, Cardiff. Vale of Glamorgan Artists 2007

Exhibitions in Cultural Centres

Cheltenham Music Festival. 'Musical' Monoprints 1998
Cowbridge Library, Life Drawings 2000-2002
St. Donat's Arts Centre, Paintings on Sibelius Symphonies, 2003
An Artist's Cardiff (25 years) Cardiff Central Library 2003

Poetry booklets: Cardiff, My Cardiff, 33 poems 1997
I remeber Sansea 22 poems 1998

Prizes

1st prize at the Rhondda Heritage Parks 2006 Open Art Competition
1st Prize at Barry Art Central Open Art Competition

Collections

Balliol College,
Oxford University,
The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea,
The City Hall, Cardiff county Council,
The Vale of Glamorgan Council,
Rheinfelden Council Germany.