People and Places by Sir Roland Richardson

The Oils and Etchings of People and Places Exhibit by Sir Roland Richardson opens September 8th at the La Petite Galerie at the Marco Island Center for the Arts.  The La Petite Galerie is an ideal venue to highlight Richardson’s plein air oils and private color etching collection created over the course of the last sixty years.  

In an interview with Richardson in anticipation of this exhibit, he shared, “I’ve spent the better part of the last 60 years doing my paintings and graphic works on location. I’ve devoted my artistic attention to two primary mediums:  oil painting en plein air and print-making, with an important emphasis on etching. I have created over 400 print plates of all different subjects, all from life. Every plate I make in the traditional manner and every etching, I hand-pull (print) myself, so that it is unique, an Artist’s Proof.” 

En plein air is a French term meaning “in the open air.” It refers to painting outdoors, studying the natural light on a living subject. Richardson added, “In addition to this intimate portfolio of works on paper, there is a selection of my plein air oil paintings which share my primary devotion to Color.” 

“Etchings have always intrigued me for many reasons,” said Richardson.“ First, they are technically difficult to do. One of the most endearing qualities  

of an etching is its intimacy. It is a picture that you look at closely, exploring its detail, that you hold in your hand to experience the delicacy of its lines, or tones, or textures. It is equally important, despite its usual small size, as an historical record of places, things, and people of an earlier time. I like the physical, messy work that is involved in inking, wiping, swiping, and cleaning each etching plate before I print it. Each time it is a surprise when you lift the paper and you see everything you’ve been doing in reverse.” 

Richardson was born and has lived most of his life on the French Caribbean Island of St. Martin. “I have always loved painting in France as well,” Richardson said. “When my wife, Laura, and I adopted Naples, Florida as our home in the U.S.A., I discovered a wonderful ‘Jardin’ – garden – where I often immerse myself painting the water lily ponds at the Naples Botanical Gardens. Each of these beautiful venues is represented here in this small collection, which we gathered to be shared for the first time.” 

Born May 18, 1944, Richardson’s family’s French Caribbean heritage dates back to the 1700's.He has recorded his culture as a professional artist, painting for over sixty years. His paintings are cherished in public institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYC; Erasmus Cancer Institute, Rotterdam; le Palais d’Elysee, Paris; le Musee du Nouveau Monde, La Rochelle, France, and many collections of celebrated dignitaries and corporate leaders. 

In 2007, Richardson was awarded the honor of Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau, a high-level Dutch Royal Decoration from the Court of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and has been privileged with two private exhibitions before the Queen. He has also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the French Government. 

Richardson is a contributing member of the Naples Art District, where he has a lovely studio at Artisans Plaza, 5760 Shirley Street, Studio #21, Naples, Florida.    

An extensive collection of his work can also be seen at www.rolandrichardson.com