March 2011

Hello!
With this blog I thought I'd show you some of my paintings in progress. As I work 'wet into wet' my work can often look so different when it's dry. This is due to a number of different factors like what materials I use and the environment I paint in. I though it would be interesting for you see a 'before and after' as sometimes some of the best visual images of my work is the paint washing itself away. When dry I'll post the finished paintings so you can see the difference.
Enjoy!
The paint effect whilst drying often looks like melted glass, you can see through many different layers of paint.

I often angle my canvas to encourage flow and run off if I feel there is too much material on it.

Feb 2011 - Cafe Ambio at Astley Park

Hello!
Jab/Feb has been very busy so far. I've started working on a new collection of paintings and plenty of research drawing (pictures to follow) and six of my paintings are now on display in Cafe Ambio at Astley Park. Please follow this link for details of opening times and information http://www.cafeambio.co.uk/index.html. The paintings look great on the lime plaster walls and you can enjoy them whilst having a cup of tea and a cake, I did anyway!
I'm also currently working on technique experiments which is always an exciting time as they can either turn out to be a disaster or I could end up discovering something amazing, lets hope its the later!
Thank you!

Jan 2011 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello!
Well it has been a while again I know but with a very busy end to 2010 it was hard to keep my last new years resolution to update every month. I almost stuck to it all year which is better than most of my resolutions! Needless to say it's my old-new years resolution to keep it up in 2011. Even with a busy end to the year I still managed to enter the Lodge Artist Society annual exhibition at Astley Hall in December.The exhibition was opened by the Mayor of Chorley and looked fantastic. Please see below for pictures. I WILL be updating every month this year whether it's just photo's of work in progress, little bits of information or exhibitions.
Thank you!

'Cader Idris' on top and 'Fork in the Road' below

'Stripe II'

'Red Dream' bottom right

General shot of exhibition space

October 2010

Hello everyone,
You may have noticed my website has been down recently, this was due to some technical issues which have now been sorted out! Yay! You can have a browse through my gallery at www.riaharding.com and don't forget Christmas is coming, an original painting would make a unique and special Christmas present! I also do private commissions so contact me with any colour schemes or inspiration ideas you may have.
You may have noticed I haven't updated my blog for a while, I have been a busy bee starting a new part time job as a teaching assistant and also getting engaged! I will post some new images very soon so keep your eyes open for updates and you never know there maybe one or two special offers before Christmas!
I had a sucessful West Lancashire Open Show in Ormskirk and two of my paintings are currently on show at the Garstang Craft Centre with the Lodge Artists Society so check it out if you're in the area.
Thats all for now!

August 2010

'Fork in the Road' 31.5 x 23.5 cm

'Raindrops' 19.5 x 15.5 cm

Well hello!
As promised here are a couple of new paintings I've been working on for the collection. I have been experimenting with new tools made from straw and 'Raindrops' is the first painting I have done that hasn't included any black. I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and I have been doing a lot of experiments with paints and techniques. I hope to bring you some results in the form of finished paintings in the not to distant future!

Artists and Illustrators Shop

Hello!
Just a quick note to say my work is now available to purchase online through Artists and Illustrators Portfolio! Just follow this link http://www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/RiaHarding.
There are just a few uploaded at the moment, more coming soon, but if you have any quieries on commissions or a piece previewed on my blog or website please feel free to contact me for details or a price. This is also a permenant link to my shop under 'Links' on the right hand side of my blog! Happy shopping!

West Lancashire Open August -Sept 2010

Hello!
Here a few photos from the current West Lancashire Open Exhibition 2010 at the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk. We went to the preview evening which was very busy and bumped into a few familiar faces such as Artist Gerry Halpin. I just have a few photos from the exhibition as photography is limited so that naughty people can't use photographs of artists work but the exhibition as a whole looks fantastic and there are a wide range of mediums and styles to view, it's well worth a visit! Check out http://www.chapelgallery.org.uk/ for directions and details!
Keep your eyes peeled for the next update as I'll be uploading images of brand new paintings!