It is often said that the peninsular counties of Devon and Cornwall have a “quality of light” that attracts, inspires and sustains a veritable colony of artists. The intensely bright and suffuse light, plus the myriad variations in the coastal and inland landscape of these counties is portrayed in charcoal, ink, watercolour, oil, gouache and all manner of media by a legion of landscape artists.

Brixham based artist, Richard Thorn may just be one of this legion but his paintings cut straight to the quick with spontaneous, striking blasts of tone and colour that let you feel the warmth of the sun and the touch of the breeze and smell the fragrance of the ocean, the rivers, the fields and the woods. Viewing Richard’s blazing paintings is a truly memorable experience.

Richard Thorn studied at Newton Abbot School of Art and initially pursued a career in music, becoming an accomplished Jazz Guitarist and currently leading his Latin/Jazz quartet, “Ragged Fish” (for which he writes original compositions). His painting career began professionally in the early 80’s and was especially encouraged when Torbay Art Society presented one of his paintings to the Princess Michael of Kent at a Devon County Show. He was similarly inspired when invited to stage an exhibition of his paintings of Portugal in the Portuguese Embassy in London – and to have one of the paintings purchased by the Ambassador.

Richard has since had many one-man shows and mixed exhibitions in the South of England. His work can be seen in numerous galleries from Cornwall to Kent.

“I essentially work in watercolour, but in the recent years I have incorporated other mediums to my paintings which has had the effect of expanding not only the textural width but also my subject matter. Working with acrylic and pastel has also broadened my appreciation of colour and dynamics.”