An Artist's Journey

"Autumn Breeze"

2011-08-12T12:19:00.002-07:00

Oil on linen "Autumn Breeze" 12x24

Feeling the breeze? Having a great time using these vintage pinups and creating a new story with them!

"The To-Do List"

2011-07-18T13:09:00.006-07:00

Oil on Linen "The To-Do List" 14x24

This weekend in Aspen, Colorado I will be debuting this painting and several more in the series. They are based on vintage pinup paintings. I am using a technique called "tromp l' loeil, which means "fool the eye." Come and see us at the Aspen Art Festival held in Wagner Park, July 23-24.

SOLD! Check out the website for more paintings!

It's Showtime!

2011-07-12T22:24:00.006-07:00

"Going Bananas" 12x24 Oil on Linen

Summer shows begin in July, starting with the Aspen Art Festival, July 23-24 at Wagner Park. So looking forward to some cool weather, seeing old friends, meeting up with clients, a drive up to Maroon Bells, and (hopefully) a bit of fishing!

I will be introducing a new series of paintings inspired by "vintage pinups." The paintings are a lot of fun and just a little bit naughty! Stay tuned...

Principle Gallery Still Life Exhibition

2011-04-27T12:54:00.008-07:00

I was delighted to be invited to the Principle Galleries Still Life Show. The Principle Gallery is located in Alexandria, Virginia. It's a great show, check it out in person if you live in the area, or online at:
Principle Gallery Spring Still Life Show

Both paintings SOLD!

Scottsdale Salon Opens April 22, 2011

2011-04-21T20:18:00.004-07:00

The Scottsdale Salon 2011 at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.
Opening night is April 22, 6:00-9:00 pm.
My entry is Titled: "Fixing the Leeks" 24x24

"Block Party" 24x36 SOLD

2011-04-19T09:09:00.003-07:00

Southwest Art Interview

2010-10-15T19:57:00.003-07:00

Thank you to Southwest Art for choosing me in the 21 over 31 Competition.

21 Over 31 | Richard Hall

Oct 15th, 10 / 0 Comments /

By Bonnie Gangelhoff

Breakfast Special: Ham’r and Eggs, oil on canvas, 22 x 36.

What inspired your winning entry? I moved into a new house, and the vise was in the garage, left by the previous owners. As soon as I saw it, I knew I was going to use it in a painting. Just the shape and colors attracted me. As a still-life painter, I thought it was an interesting object. I wondered what I could do with it that would show its qualities. I decided to put an egg in the vise to contrast the strength of the vise with the fragility of the egg. I broke two eggs when I first started as I was tightening the vise. I learned by the third egg that it only took a slight extra turn to crack the egg. I then suspended the hammer so it could fall on the handle of the vise, turning it, and thus cracking the egg. Then I thought, what if I burned a candle that could burn the string that held the hammer that would then turn the vise and crack the egg?
Do you come from an artistic background? My grandfather dabbled in watercolors. My other grandfather was a master carpenter.
Where did you study art? I have a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Hull School of Art & Design in Hull, England, and I did post-graduate teaching at Sussex University in Brighton, England.
What is your favorite subject matter, and why? I like taking everyday objects and presenting them in a way that is unusual. Humor plays a big part in my work. I may find an object and then that object leads to collecting other objects to go with it.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Only show your best paintings.
What is the most meaningful recognition you have received for your artwork? It’s great when you sell a painting. Someone has to put a hand in their pocket and pay for it. BREAKFAST SPECIAL: HAM’R AND EGGS won the Donor’s Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America show held at Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale this year.
What is the one thing people will never see you paint? I don’t think there is anything I wouldn’t paint.
Future goals? I want to push myself to do work that takes people’s breath away.
Representation: RARE Gallery, Jackson, WY; www.richardhallfineart.com.

Featured in our annual “21 Over 31″ competition in November 2010

OPA 2010 Western Regional Exhibition

2010-08-29T20:55:00.005-07:00

I am pleased to announce that my painting, entitled "The Gathering," was accepted into the Oil Painters of America 2010 Western Regional Exhibition.

This year’s Western Regional Exhibition & Sale is being held at the beautiful Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming beginning Saturday, October 9 through Wednesday, November 10, 2010.

"The paintings being exhibited in this year’s regional show have been selected from hundreds of entries and represent some of the finest work being produced in the western half of the United States, Mexico and Canada. “Every show just keeps getting better and better. I find myself more and more impressed with the work being submitted and am proud to be part of such a wonderful organization,” said executive director Kathryn Beligratis. All paintings will be for sale during the exhibition."

Visit the Oil Painters of America Website

Finalist in TWO National Art Competitions!

2010-08-09T22:32:00.002-07:00

Good News! I am pleased to announce that I was selected as
a finalist in two National Fine Art Competitions

Artist Magazine Still Life/Floral Competition - 2010
Southwest Art 21 over 31 - 2010

My work will be included in these publications in the near future. Stay tuned!

Off to Sun Valley! What can be better than a week of art and fishing!

Dan Sprick Interview

2010-07-09T21:43:00.004-07:00

While in Denver at the Cherry Creek Art Festival, Sharon and I took a trip to the Denver Art Museum to see the paintings by Daniel Sprick. Many people who saw my work at Cherry Creek said it reminded them of Sprick, a Colorado artist, so we had to have a look.

WOW! The Denver Art Museum has a wonderful still life painting by Daniel Sprick. I was very impressed and inspired by the work! I particularly like that there are many small items in the piece, which causes your eye moves around the painting . This is a 14 minute interview with Sprick that is shown at the Museum. Enjoy.

C.M. Russell Museum Show

2010-06-14T10:42:00.004-07:00

I am pleased to have been invited to participate in the C. M. Russell Museum "Masters in Miniature" Exhibition. They have chosen two of my paintings, "Stake with Garlic" and "Cup of Squash."

The Exhibition is in the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, MT. and runs July 29th through September 11, 2010. There will be a reception for artists and members on June 30th, and a benefit dinner and fixed-price sale on September 11th.

All the Art out there: Richard Hall

2010-05-05T12:56:00.003-07:00

This was posted on the weblog All the Art out there: Richard Hall

Monday, May 3, 2010

Richard Hall

Richard Hall is a straightforward (though I can't say no nonsense) realist painter. His technique and compositional approach are very traditional and very formal. Which may sound fine and dandy but is in fact an approach filled with the greatest of pitfalls. Without exceptional skill and vision, work of this sort generally falls into the vast and endless pool of somewhat boring but pretty good art that litter art markets everywhere. Mr. Hall is more than just pretty good and his some nonsense approach push his work into a subtle category of its own. The tension in this first painting stands out as a brilliantly executed piece of visual humor. But (and I'm sorry to have to say this Mr. Hall) I can't even bring myself to use the title. The wit and elegance of the painting is self evident, but the title/puns are a little much for me. But while a title can add something to a piece I don't think it can subtract. The titles have absolutely no hold on the work itself which is quite simply, exquisite and I anxiously await his pieces to appear on his blog. richardhallfineart.blogspot.com
Also make sure you check out his website: richardhallfineart.com

Donors Award of Excellence from the Oil Painter's of America

2010-05-02T21:09:00.005-07:00

I am honored to have been awarded the Donor's Award of Excellence at the

Oil Painters of America National Exhibition!

I was thrilled to be one of 200 artists chosen for this exhibition from the 2800 applicants. To have been honored with a major award in my first national OPA show is a great compliment.

Thank you to the OPA, my family, and all of my clients that have supported me over the years.

My painting, "Breakfast Special: Ham'r and Eggs" is on exhibit at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona until May 30th.

A Couple of Gems

2010-04-20T13:34:00.003-07:00

Here are a couple of new paintings. I think they are real gems!

"Fruit Cup with Pears" is a beautiful china cup with pears and rasberries. Wonderful colors and textures! 12"x12" framed in a Roma moulding.

"Egg Drop Soup" also incorporates a beautiful china bowl and with eggs. Couldn't resist the fun with the egg drop!

OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA

2010-03-29T19:40:00.006-07:00

Great News! My painting "Breakfast Special: Ham'r and Eggs" was chosen to be included in the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Legacy Gallery

April 30-May 31, 2010

"The Oil Painters of America’s 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition will be held at the prestigious Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, April 30 through May 31, 2010. Widely recognized as one of the premiere art organizations in the country, OPA’s primary mission is dedicated to promoting the continued interest in traditional, representational art.

With over 2,500 submissions,entries are narrowed down to the top 200 paintings resulting in an exhibition that reflects the exceptional art and beauty being created by today’s finest representational artists."

For more information go to http://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/events/exhibitions/2010/national/index.cfm

Apple Cobbler

2010-02-08T21:37:00.004-07:00

This painting "Apple Cobbler" sold off the easel. All of the cobbler tools and the apple peeler had great textures and patinas. I set up the actual objects and paint from life. You can see the setup and painting process going on at the Celebration of Fine Art. www.celebrateart.com

New Paintings for 2010

2010-01-23T22:29:00.009-07:00

"Breakfast Special: Ham'r and Eggs"

"Balancing Act"

"Leave it to the Professionals"

"Chip off the old Block"

"Chirp off the old Block"

"Sticks and Stones..."

CELEBRATE 2010

2010-01-08T20:16:00.002-07:00

The 20th Celebration of Fine Art is rapidly approaching. I'm putting the finishing touches on the last few paintings and getting ready to build my display.

This year I will have mainly still life paintings. As I look over the new work, I've noticed that they are a 180 degree turn from the large scale, calm, landscapes I've been painting for the last few years. I think the change reflects some of the changes in my own life.

One major change is having a twenty-month old grandchild (and a second one on the way.) The house is filled with toys and play, and my paintings reflect some of the fun. I'm am always searching for something interesting to show little Evelyn, so my studio is now full of silly hats, and weird and colorful objects. While the paintings are complex, technically difficult and challenging, I try to instill some fun in them.

The new paintings also have to do with keeping things in balance. I think the current state of the economy and the world has inspired me, because these days, it is more and more difficult to maintain balance in our lives.

The Celebration of Fine Art opens on January 16, 2010 and runs through March 28th.
Hours are 10am - 6pm dailly.

New Work: Still lifes with a View

2009-09-30T21:19:00.009-07:00

I've been working on a series of still life paintings. Using skies as a background rather than the traditional dark setting has created quite a challenge, and led me to some interesting compositions.

"Safe Harbour"

"Castaways"

"I Tie my own Flies"

"Moonlight Serenade"

New Paintings...A Preview for Summer 2009

2009-06-29T17:38:00.005-07:00

Just completed!

Above: "Sunset Reprise" 40" x 40"

Above: "Golden Promise" 36" x 36"

Above: "Cottonwood Reflections" 24" x 24"

Oil Painter's of America

2009-06-29T11:07:00.002-07:00

I'm honored to say I have been accepted into to Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Show.
It will be held in Kirkland, Washington, August 6th - 30th, 2009. The painting is entitled "Poetic Castaways." It is a still life of items I collected on my desert hikes, and brings in aspects of my landscape paintings, for a new and exciting look.

National Museum of Wildlife Art: "Out of the Box" Auction, 2009

2009-06-15T13:15:00.007-07:00

On June 12th, 2009, the "Out of the Box" auction was held at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Each artist was asked to send a box to be auctioned off as a fund-raiser for educational programs at the museum. As one of my favorite museums, I was pleased to participate and donate a painted box.

I painted the top and sides of the box with scenes of the Jackson Hole area. The top painting is titled "Storm over the Flats." On the side is a scene of Oxbow Bend.

Sharon created a special handcrafted book for inside the box. Our good friend, sculptor Bryce Petitt donated the bronze eagle head for the book's cover.

Out of 115 artist donations, mine was one of 15 that was included in the "live" auction. My box sold for the second highest amount of the night! It was great fun to see all of the boxes submitted by wonderful artists and be a part of the fun and exciting event.

Thank you to the museum and all the volunteers for a wonderful weekend of events.

HOT off the easel

2009-05-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

I just finished this painting of a beautiful sky near Bartlett Lake in Arizona. The sun was hitting the mountains creating an inspiring glow.

Celebrate 2009

2009-02-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Celebration of Fine Art is our first art show of the year. I have spent several months creating new work which I preview at this show. This is my eighth year at the Celebration and I'll be there from January 16th through March 29th. Located just 10 minutes from home, the Celebration is my home town show. Over 100 artists are invited to create studio spaces to exhibit their work. If you are in town, please stop by to see me and preview my new work. The show is located in Scottsdale, Arizona on Scottsdale Rd. just south of the 101.
www.celebrateart.com

Sharon has a booth as well at the Celebration! Working with our sons and daughter-in-law, she is creating beautiful handcrafted books in leather, and has a booth across from mine. I'm very proud of all the work she has done and the fine product she has created.

How I Spent my Summer Vacation

2008-10-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

We did a lot of traveling to art shows this summer and visited Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming. We enjoyed the cool weather and I managed to get in some fishing, hiking, photography and painting.

The highlight of the summer was spending 10 days at a painting workshop with Scott Christensen in Victor, Idaho. It was a painting vacation for me, and Scott is a great painter and teacher. If you don't know his work, check it out at www.christensenstudio.com. Scott is one of the top landscape painters in the country, and it was quite an honor to work with him.

The class was in plein air painting, which is painting outdoors to capture a scene at a particular moment. Generally I work from photos due to the time consuming nature of my work, but it was great to be outdoors and practice my lessons. Scott works with a limited palette of only a few tubes of paint, and that created an interesting challenge. It was a great experience and I hope to continue taking workshops. You're never too old to learn something new.

Many thanks to Scott, Kristie, and Charlie for their hospitality and inspiration.

Wildlife Encounters

2008-08-29T11:01:00.001-07:00

While on the road Sharon and I are always going out in search of interesting landscapes to inspire my work. One of the great joys of looking at landscapes is the chance encounters we have with wildlife. Usually as I am photographing landscapes I have a wide angle lens on the camera, not ideal for photographing wildlife, but I do enjoy photographing animals in the wild. We have had some interesting encounters including moose, elk, bear, bison, deer, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and even alligators!

Moose in Teton National Park, Wyoming. Notice the baby lying in the grass to the left.

Brazos Bend State Park southwest of Houston provided the inspirational sunset for the
painting "Sunset Reflections," and also some interesting encounters with alligators.

And of course, rattlesnakes...

Evie's Grandad

2008-08-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

We welcomed our first grandchild Evelyn Rose Hall to the family on May 21st, 2008! Evie's parents are my son Daniel and his wife Ashley.

Daniel and Ashley brought 3 month old Evie to Whitefish, Montana last week for a visit. We were in Whitefish to take some time off from art shows and enjoy the family. Whitefish, Montana is in northern Montana where my in-laws and brother-in-law have summer homes. Thanks to Mike to letting us all stay in his cabin!

We managed to do some fishing - even Evie joined in!