Artist statement

All my life I have sought to touch and give form to the ground of what I sense is real, and there is curiosity about this. I know this may sound abstract. The reality, however, of what is broken is ever present. Perhaps it is our nature as humans to know and feel this, as well as our challenge to face it, even not take it personally. There is also joy, pleasure and victory. All of this moves within the painting, or so it seems to me, as constant struggle and failure. Dying is central, as well as new life and birth, surprise, and grace. Clichés as words, perhaps, but sometimes real in the painting. Sweden has been central to my life, some aspects of it– a ground of sorts– the language, culture, light and nature. And beauty, of course. At best, I celebrate this, even in its passing.

Short bio

Richard has lived in rural Springwater, NY, USA for over 30 years. he grew up in the Boston area, lived in central Pennsylvania for awhile, then moved to Sweden. He lived in Sweden for 12 years and received his artistic training at Valands Konstakademien in Göteborg, where he focused on landscape oil painting. Then he returned to the US and settled in Rochester, NY, then Springwater. Richard livea and paint in Sweden for part of each year.