Richard Rowan
Spring | 2024

Richard’s landscapes are so detailed that they are often mistaken for photographs, something that he believes is the highest compliment. In fact, each artwork has been meticulously painted by hand in oils on the opposite side of the glass. Building layers in reverse, starting with the foreground and finer details before working in several layers to the background, is a technique Richard has trailblazed for over 15 years.

He applies and manipulates the paint using fine brushes and special tools of his own invention, leading to the creation of stunning, atmospheric landscapes. Involving meticulous preparation and technique Richards is a story of persistence and determination, underpinned by a tremendous talent. These new pieces illustrate the evolution of Richard’s complex style with more colour layering and technical skill than ever before.

As the most prominent fine artist creating artworks in this style, Richard has become a part of the history and legacy of the glass art form, utilising the mediums smooth gradient of colour and broader spectrum of shades. Unlike canvas, glass interacts with the light, bringing the painting to life. Changing the lights and ambience in your room will create different effects, echoing the transformative power of natural phenomena like the northern lights, sunrise and lightning.

‘Particles of Light’ is inspired by exploring the dark skies over Dornie with his children and features beautiful soft colour with stunning highlights picking out the brightness of the milky way. This piece is an ode to Richard's love of experiencing the size and beauty of the universe with his children.

‘Finding Home’ is a vivid and moving tribute to Richard and his wife’s family roots in the Scottish Highlands and the inspiration their time there provided, pushing him again to further challenge himself technically to build colour in the foreground of his artworks for the first time.