"R.H in London" Painting

Prize winning figurative artist living and working in the New Forest, UK.
I have been working full time as a professional artist since graduating from Bradford College of Art in 1986.

In 1991 and 1993 I won 3rd and 1st Prize respectively in the BP Portrait Awards at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Exhibited internationally.



Artists Statement:

I work within the progressive tradition of Realism.
I am interested in existential issues, what it feels like to be alive, how can one feel more fulfilled, how do we connect with the exterior world and what is preventing us from achieving that?.
The characters in my paintings are connected to their environment but unable to wholly integrate into it, sometimes they are actively threatened by it, their means of fulfilment, relief or redemption frustratingly inaccessible to them.
My characters are confused, isolated, confrontational, fearful or introvert. They are unsettled by their situation, sometimes caught in motion between expressions. They may eyeball the viewer trying to calculate how our presence affects them or stand frozen, inhibited and exposed.
I paint primarily by instinct and trust that above intellect. My intention is to make emotionally charged, expressive and authentic paintings which are as uncomfortable and challenging as life is.