Drawing Comics, Radio 4 & Teaching Art: An Interview With Richard Freer

Born in Leicester, UK in 1976, Richard’s natural-scapes provide scope to a novel vision, almost bordering on complete abstraction. From a close-up view to a generic horizon rendition, Richard practices oil paintings, watercolours, and drawings.

Here he talks about his work, drawing comics, Radio 4 and teaching art.

SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?

RF: I have loved drawing and painting since I was a young child. I had a very active imagination and enjoyed drawing scenes from films and comics. I used to draw movie characters for my friends. My father was very good at drawing and painting and I used to look at what he had done and try and copy it.

SAH: Where do you get your inspiration from?

RF: I look for subjects that trigger either a personal memory in me or contain symbolic elements that reflect personal thoughts and feelings. I find that particular objects and scenes, either natural or manmade encourage people to reflect on their own memories and feelings or something important to them. For example, a tall imposing mountain could make you think about a struggle you have tried to overcome or a cherry blossom tree might make you think about change and a new start. When out and about I am regularly photographing anything that I feel may be interesting.

SAH: How do you go about transforming an idea into a painting?

RF: I start with a photograph and begin painting realistically. At this point, I make any changes by adding or changing elements and look for a focal point. As the painting develops it starts to take on a personality separate from the photograph and I begin to work more intuitively and emotionally responding to colours and marks. The painting becomes more abstract and I try and find a balance between abstraction and the original subject. The final painting is a composition of emotional intuitive response and recognisable imagery. My paintings are often evocative and stimulate the imagination.

SAH: What moves you about the way that colours interact on a canvas?

RF: My paintings often have a general colour scheme but contain a full range of colours from the pallet. I try to create a general mood in a scene but as a painting develops I respond to what is happening on the canvas. I look for composition and balance of colour and add colour in an almost subconscious way. I also attempt to capture some of the colours in the subject at the same time. Colours evoke emotional responses and by adding even a subtle colour can change the whole emotional response as it interacts with other colours on the canvas.

SAH: Is it possible for you to separate your work from your life?

RF: Painting is a perfect way for me to focus and stop my mind from dwelling on day to day struggles. I get so wrapped up in it that I get lost in a world of colours and shapes. It also helps me to express what is going on in my mind in a constructive and positive way.

SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has?

RF: I hope that my work helps people to briefly get lost in a world that feels slightly unreal as if it’s somewhere between reality and somewhere else built of energy and imagination.

SAH: What does freedom mean when it comes to art?

RF: Freedom to me means being able to express yourself and find new ways of seeing the world. It also helps people to be empathetic towards others thoughts and ideas.

SAH: What is your main mode for selling original work now?

RF: Currently I sell my work through my own website or through other art websites. I do though still enter my work into exhibitions, art fairs and competitions. My work has been exhibited in public and commercial art galleries internationally. I use social media to help promote my work and often aware of my artwork has been through word of mouth. There are collectors who have added to their collection of my work over the years.

SAH: What are you watching, listening to or following that you would recommend?

RF: One of my favourite things to do is while painting late at night is listen to radio 4 extra. I like the stories especially sci fi and horror. It seems to help put me In an imaginative mood and sets a scene.

As an art tutor, I try to regularly find new artists for my learners to discuss in class. I try to visit exhibitions whenever I can and enjoy art from a wide range of time periods. I often look for new artists on art websites and sometimes find inspiration from their work.

SAH: What advice would you give somebody who has just started their artistic career?

RF: Although it’s good to be inspired by other artists don’t try and copy someone else. Work at finding what you want to say and enjoy what you do. Your enthusiasm will show in the work.

Find other avenues for your artwork instead of just selling it. Through teaching, I have found that art can bring therapy and focus to people who need it and can allow people to find ways of expressing themselves. Art can also blend into other subjects and help learners find pathways into other subjects that they have struggled with.

Get your artwork out there in as many ways as possible. You have to be very proactive to get opportunities.