Before becoming an artist in the early 80’s Richard was, and is, an accomplished jazz musician. Born in Devon, the countryside continues to have an influence on his work, particularly coastal scenes, the moors, and rivers. Richard is an intuitive and spontaneous artist whose work retains the atmosphere of a deep love of the seasons and the locations.
Since those early days his paintings have been sold and exhibited in many leading galleries throughout the UK, as well as America, Taiwan, and South Korea, and are held in many private collections. His work has been accepted at the Royal Institute’s (for painters in watercolour) open exhibitions, where he has won awards for best watercolour. He was also invited to participate in the Quingdao International Watercolour Exhibition 2019 where he won an excellent work award. Art Promoters in China exhibit his work and in 2020 he returned to demonstrate and exhibit. Light, texture, and distance are his principal concerns. These elements predominate his subject matter. There is a constant search for new techniques toward those goals. “...For me, painting is a continuum – an exploration. But watercolour is a medium that seems to be always one step ahead…”
1952 Born Torquay, Devon
1957 Started to paint during a hospital stay, aged 5
Continued to draw and paint throughout his childhood
Frequent family visits to Dartmoor and the Devon coast encouraged the pursuit
On leaving school attended Newton Abbot School of Art
Early influences centred around the French Impressionists, especially Cézanne, Monet, Pissarro & Gauguin
1971 Started Rock/blues/jazz career
Still plays in a Bossanova jazz quartet called “Ragged Fish”
1985 Returned to painting to establish a professional career working in watercolour
Added influences include Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth
1986 Princess Michael of Kent took a liking to one of Richard’s paintings exhibited at the Torbay Arts Society, with which she was presented
Began selling work to collectors and galleries
Exhibitions
1992 First solo show in Godalming
Many subsequent mixed and solo exhibitions at nearby locations including Fowey River
Gallery, Fowey; Triton Gallery, Torquay; Sharon Davies Gallery, Totnes;
Rosemoor Gallery, North Devon, and further field with the Bourne Gallery, Reigate: Panter & Hall, London and The Portuguese Embassy, London.
2008 Included in a book of contemporary Devon artists published by Hallsgrove
2009/10 Solo exhibitions at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
2010 Solo exhibition at Torre Abbey, Torquay: Solo exhibition Alexander Gallery
2011 Group exhibition Davidson Fine Art Gallery, Totnes
2013 Salthouse Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall: John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh: Spring Exhibition, Joan Gillespie: Summer Autumn Exhibition, Sasha Harding: Autumn Exhibition, Stephen Mangan
2014 Spring Exhibition: Joan Gillespie & Others: Summer Exhibition: Astrid Trügg & Others
Autumn Exhibition: David Curtis & Others: Richard Hagen, Broadway: Bell Gallery, Winchester
2015-17 Various solo and group exhibitions John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
2016 No Naked Walls, Bramley
2018 Group Exhibition: The Arborealists & Other Painters Exhibition, Devon and its Coast, Night & Day – John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
2019 Spring & Autumn Exhibitions, John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh: Tidal Gallery, Kingsbridge: Polly Skye Gallery, Lynton: No Naked Walls, Bramley: Peter Barker, Uppingham
2020 3 Contrasting Artists for Spring, Autumn Group Exhibition, John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
The Tonic Gallery, Salcombe
2022 Solo Exhibition:John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
Publications
Trees in the Landscape: Light in the Landscape: Down and English Lane
Awards
Winner of the Schminke Award at the Royal Institute Exhibition 2016
Elected a member of the Southwest Academy of Fine and Applied Art (SWAc)
