One art investment broker remarked that “Richard Hawk has achieved something truly novel and his artwork will stand the test of time as being the first person to develop this technique, style and approach to a blank surface. There are followers and there are leaders, and Richard Hawk falls unquestionably into the latter.”
At first, experiments with the use of copper as a substrate for paintings were a diversion. However, success after success came with his signtature marriage of copper and paint. This led to devotion to the metal as an intrinsic part of his work. A reason, says Hawk: the dynamic surface. “Copper glows,” he says, “and patina is a co-creation with the forces of nature.” Masterful traditional oil painting launches these works into new territory.
Interwoven throughout his work are themes of human relationships with nature and spirit.
The figurative works question the future with echoes of the past. Heroines and heroes hint at things to come or dreams remembered. In some of the works the sea comes alive, or plant forms lend their primordial imprint. In meditative abstract pieces, geometric shapes play against labyrinths of detail.
The New York City-born artist enjoyed a demanding career as a communications and advertising designer for fortune 500 companies and universities before moving to full time fine art in the early 2000’s. He has had numerous shows on both coasts, with a home studio base in Encinitas, California. His highly celebrated works of oil on copper now can be found in many collections around the world.
Hawk paints and teaches also in oil on canvas and panel, as well as his first love, watermedia on paper.
A Richard Hawk painting is a soul-soothing, brain-teasing invitation to explore and reflect. “The infinite and the ephemeral coexist everywhere,” says the artist, “here in these paintings too.”
See Instagram @richardhawkart
