Featured Artist of the Month : Alan M. Richards Feb. 2015 | TheArtList - Art & Photo Calls for Visual Artists and Photographers.

Alan M. Richards

East Hills, New York

How and when did you start creating art?

I began creating art about 35 years ago. My first works were primarily drawings using colored pens and ink. Life then interceded and I did not create a significant number of pieces until about four years ago. At that time, I had the time and energy to create again.

What media and genres do you work in?

I primarily work in photographic image composites that are augmented by digital drawing. I will generally take photos of people and things and then archive them for future use if inspiration should occur.

Who or what are your influences?

I particularly enjoy the work of Edward Hopper. I’ve always found his work to be of interest to me, particularly with his choice of colors and subjects. In addition, I like the work of Rene Magritte and the surprises that his work presents.

What was your inspiration for Reflection?

My inspiration for a particular work such as “Reflection” seems to emerge in parts. In the case of “Reflection” I had seen an old black and white photo of the house in a 1909 magazine. I found the house and the shading to be in line with my sensibilities. The woman in the boat was an archived picture I had taken at a flea market. The boat was a toy. The water and reflections were drawn and manipulated using digital drawing programs. So, the inspiration for this piece and many of my pieces seems to grow organically.

Describe your creative process?

My creative process is multidimensional. I have no particular formula or method for creating the works I produce. Basically, when I see or hear something that piques my interest, I form a basic image in my mind. I will often sketch that initial image. Very often I will have a photo which sits in some dark recess of my mind that works with the needs of that image, or I will actually go out and take a picture to meet my inspiration. Once I have the basic elements on my desktop, I will form the layout and color palette. After that, there are iterations until a final image is attained. Very often, what I start out with is not what I end up with. During the creative process, I will often ask my wife to look at the work for her unbiased input. The criticism is often not too pleasing, but I am able to see the emerging piece with a new set of eyes and perspective. Sometimes I just don’t listen, but that leads to other issues that are not art-related.

What are you working on currently?

I continue to work on new pieces as inspiration dictates.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

I believe that my goal is to be fulfilled artistically and to enjoy the times I produce and exhibit my art. Of course, it is my desire to be shown at more major art museums and galleries. However, being happy with the process of producing art and the inner peace that the process brings is a very important goal whether long- or short term.