Richard Barrett b. 1963

Originally from Cardiff, Richard attended Sheffield University where he studied Ecology. After graduating, he spent some time teaching in London but quickly decided that his future lay in his interest in art. His father had taught art, and encouraged Richard as a child, laying down a deep appreciation of painting as an important and integral part of life.

Upon returning to Sheffield, Richard began to build up a strong reputation as a freelance artist, eventually becoming employed as an art director for a major publishing company. It was here that he created artwork and commissioned the work of other artists. After a period of transition between the commercial art world and his own painting, he decided to commit to painting full time.

Time spent walking the landscape provides the starting point for Richard's work. Back in the studio, as the process of painting begins, a more intuitive approach comes into play. Instinct and memories guide the way the painting evolves. The finished painting captures a sense of place, reflecting its essence and soul.

The landscapes that evolve have an allusive, abstracted quality. The movement of the wind and the rain as well as the drama of shifting light on the land provide magical, fleeting moments in an ever changing landscape. They invite the viewer in, to find their own interpretation and their own personal story.