Richard Thorn SWAc
Richard's interest in Art began at the tender age of 5. He would draw and sketch everything and anything which became his first love! This period of drawing became the 'Prima Materia' for his later painting work. At school he was noted for his drawing and it seemed to be a fait accompli that he would enroll in the Newton Abbot School of Art on leaving School.
After leaving college he set out to pursue a career in music. This eventually led him to become an accomplished Jazz Guitarist. He currently leads his Latin/Jazz quartet, "MAÑANA" for which he writes all the material. Music has always accompanied Richard throughout his Painting career which began 'professionally' in the early 80s.
For many years these two art-forms seemed independent of each other but in recent years the Artist has come to the realization that they have always informed each other, springing from the same emotional wellspring.
I Think It's Going to be a Cloudless Day
Headland Waves, Watercolour
In the early days of his painting career, The Torbay Art Society presented a painting to the Princess Michael of Kent at a Devon County Show, after taking an interest in his work. The Society presented it to her as a gift. Richard was invited to stage an exhibition of his paintings of Portugal at the Portuguese Embassy in London. One of the paintings was purchased by the Portuguese Ambassador.
He has since exhibited in numerous one-man shows and mixed exhibitions in the South of England and the home counties. His work can be seen in numerous galleries from Cornwall to Kent. Richard works essentially in watercolour but in the last 5 years has incorporated other mediums to his paintings which has had the effect of expanding not only his textural width but also his subject matter. Working with acrylic, gouache and pastel has also broadened the Artist's appreciation of both colour and dynamics. Many of Richards paintings are now limited edition Gicleé prints.
