Influences and Inspiration
I have to consider myself a colourist, as whenever I discuss my art work I find I am always stressing the colours I use. During the painting process I find that I have a need to try to obtain the brightest colour effect possible through the use of contrasting or related colours. My recent paintings have included many large flower still lives, set against single colour backgrounds. These were chosen precisely so that I could use the most vibrant colours possible.
As regards influences, there are countless numbers of artists whose work I admire. Once again I have to stress colour, so the post Impressionists, Van Gogh (especially his sunflowers) and Gaugin would have to be there, also Cezanne. I am drawn to the work of the Impressionists, particularly of Monet. I remember being particularly impressed by the “Monet in the 90’s” exhibition at the Royal Academy, especially the paintings of Rouen Cathedral, the poplar series and, most particularly the haystacks series, painted in all weathers and at all times of year. I especially recall the way Monet used pure colours in the shadows, which through optical mixing gave such a vibrant finish when the paintings were viewed from a distance.
I love the work of Picasso and Braque, cubist and otherwise. Other artists whose work I admire include Matisse, Miro and Kandinsky. Being a painter of large scale flowers, I would also have to include Georgia O’Keeffe as an influence, not only for her flower paintings, but also for her cityscapes and landscapes of New Mexico. I also admire the shimmering still lives of Giorgio Morandi.
I have a
love of the mystical, the sun and the moon and the planets. I am attracted
to ancient monuments such as those at Avebury and Stonehenge, and admire the
landscapes of Paul
Nash where he depicts such places. Other
British landscape artists I admire include Constable and Turner, particularly
works such as Constable’s “Haywain” and “Salisbury
Cathedral, and Turner’s "The
Fighting Temeraire".
Among more modern artists, I love the flat bright colours of pop art such
as the paintings of David Hockney and the screen prints of Andy Warhol.
I am very inspired by the use of natural materials, and for this reason I admire the clay paintings of Richard Long and the work of Andrew Goldsworthy. For the same reason I love Australian Aboriginal art and the cave paintings of places such as Lascoux, which are both simple and powerful.
Richard Fuller
