Pictures by Sarah Richards

Sarah Richards is a talented and promising Tramore-based painter and graduate of Crawford College of Art. Her imaginative and striking use of colour, together with bold, dynamic brushwork won the unanimous admiration of all 3 adjudicators, practising artists Jim Doolan, Paddy Lennon and Bob Lynn, at 2008 Art in the Open plein air painting event in Wexford and gained the Mayoral Award for best painting in any category.

"Since 2005, my work has involved still life and nude subjects, all in acrylic and mostly on canvas. When working, I focus on constructing paintings on instinct, attempting not to be in control, or self conscious, allowing contributing factors such as mood, atmosphere, relationships with a given model, life experience and the subconscious programmes within, all to influence formal elements.

I have discovered that working alla-prima is successful for me. Returning to the painting at a later time will not work as many factors change, upsetting the balance, and even resulting in total dismantling of the painting.

I am concerned with preserving fluidity, energy and hopefully a rawness in the work."