Richard Rowan

As the only fine artist successfully creating artworks in this style, Richard has become a part of the history and legacy of the glass art form, which dates back to Roman times and can also be seen in the Gothic period of the 12th century. Unlike canvas, glass interacts with the light, bringing the painting to life. Changing the lights and ambience in your room will create different effects, echoing the transformative power of natural phenomena like the northern lights, sunrise and lightning. 

The exhilarating unpredictability of nature has taken Richard around the world. His Aurora Borealis collection saw him travel to Iceland, where, accompanied by a local photographer and filmmaker, he drove out into the wild terrains to capture the wide skies, shooting rays, magical glow and hypnotic dancing of light. Closer to home, he explores the British landscape with his wife and two children, who are often symbolised in his paintings by four birds or stars. Through each artwork, he hopes to make viewers feel alive and want to "roam the land, fly in the sky, search for the stars.” 

Richard's landscapes are so detailed that they are often mistaken for photographs, when in fact each one has been meticulously painted by hand using his reverse painting technique. Classical influences include the work of J.M.W. Turner and even Michelangelo. Painted en plein air (outside) like the Impressionist painters of the late 19th century, his artworks evoke the passion and drama of the Romantic movement, along with the storytelling element of the Renaissance. Like the Dutch artists of the 17th century, Richard emphasises clouds in his skyscapes, while his focus on light and the effects of the weather echoes the work of Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. 

Commemorating 15 years with our publisher, Washington Green Fine Art, Richard's new hardback book and giclée prints take viewers on a journey through his powerful skyscapes. Traversing Finland, Iceland, Thailand and Scotland, An Impossible Dream is the artist's most personal collection yet, reflecting on fond memories spent with family and friends. He says: "I’ve revisited all the things that I’ve wanted to achieve over the years; goals I set myself for mastering new techniques and introducing new elements into my work. This collection is a culmination of where I’ve wanted my artwork to go."

Richard adds: “The great thing about doing shows and meeting people is discovering how they see the work. Some people are in tears looking at it, while others say it was in their home for a dinner party and it got them talking about art all night. It’s amazing that it can go from something that decorates a house to sparking a conversation.”

Shop Richard's full collection here.