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The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

Ron DeSantis, the grand wizard, oops, governor of FL.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

Let there be snark.

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Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

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Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

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Optimism opens the door to great things.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

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You are here: Home / Photo Blogging / On The Road / Richard Fox – Painting in Living Color and Liking It!

Richard Fox – Painting in Living Color and Liking It!

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Hello everyone. My name is Richard Fox, and I’d like to introduce my work to you all. I am a painter who loves to go out and record the world as dictated by my own idiosyncratic manner and style. I paint what I call ‘realistic abstractions’ meaning I show clearly what the object or location is, but filtered with colors and lines based on my personal feeling towards the motif. In a sense you can know me based on what I share with you, ideally without explanation. My work reflects my innate impatience and my patience, my desire to get the thing just right but without any fuss. If I can put it all in a phrase I would say I have an obsession of colorfully capturing moments in time.

I tend to be very intuitive in my thinking and let the brush rather than my brain do the editing. Watercolor as a medium demands you feel in your innermost self when to put down the brush, otherwise the effect is labored and usually mud-like! Watercolor was my first love and I did the majority of my work in that medium for about 20 years. But after I turned 40 I wanted to complement them with oils to give a fuller statement of my journey; at 61 I have a body of work in both mediums that allows others to see what I saw in my life. One of my big dreams is to have someone take a whole bunch of watercolors—say 40 or so—and show them all at once in a big exhibit. Oils too, but perhaps separately.

On a personal note, I don’t have much by way of exposure and frankly that’s not good. A painting only lives when it gets people to see them!

Please feel free to peruse my website to see more of my paintings.

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 8
Napa, CaliforniaAugust 1, 2019

“Chardonnay Grapes Vista,” Oil on canvas. I moved to my adopted state of California from Brooklyn, New York in 2016. I now live about 20 minutes from Napa, and as a motif the sight of the grapes on the vine enchants me to no end. My work is so different than my New York days, the land and the sea become more prevalent, and the light is just like I imagine heaven would be. (!)

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 7
Napa, CaliforniaSeptember 1, 2020

“Eucalyptus Grove,” Oil on canvas. The warm sun and the deep shadows: people are dwarfed by these giants. I understand the Eucalyptus is not a native tree and perhaps that isn’t ideal, but I can only say I love them and I’m glad to have them as neighbors. The rocks and ground took on a blue-purple hue in the shadows, and as you can see I really went to town there.

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 6
San Francisco, CaliforniaMarch 1, 2019

“Pacific Heights to the Bay,” Oil on canvas. This locale in San Francisco is among my favorites and I’ve painted there a number of times. The hills drop down in a way unlike any I’ve seen elsewhere, coupled with huge stately homes. It is rather dream-like to me, and I wanted that to come through.

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 5
Tiburon, CaliforniaJune 1, 2020

“By the Bay,” Watercolor on paper. I love watching people as they stroll in this lovely town, one of all-time favorites in Marin County. Tiburon has so much by way of beauty—and the color of the water with the rocks used as breakfronts just inspires me. Another moment and these folks are replaced by a whole new set, with a different vibe, and perhaps that’s the point of it all, in the end.

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 4
Tiburon, CaliforniaJuly 4, 2021

“Hill at Paradise Beach,” Oil on canvas. One of my jaunts in Tiburon took me to this small park on a bluff, and you can see the jetty and the promenade from a nice height. I initially was attracted to these tree characters, who very persistently decided they were the center of interest, thank you, and not the people. The trees seemed to almost dip in the bay, and I just couldn’t resist the serenity they inspired.

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 3
Monterey, CaliforniaAugust 1, 2019

“Rocks and Reflections, Monterey,” Watercolor on paper. I miss visiting Monterey, and I have to go back. The rich color of the water and the ancient rocks that inhabit these places are so lovely, and look like natural Stonehenge monuments, if you can imagine. I see them as sentinels keeping watch in good times and bad. I might add, it’s hard to convey how windy it can be to paint places like this. I hold onto my hat and my easel, and somehow I manage!

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 2
Vallejo, CaliforniaMay 1, 2021

“Scrub Jay at Bird Bath,” Watercolor on paper. Covid has made me turn closer to my home environs as sources of inspiration. Besides the resident feline Emily who lives in the backyard (and who allows me to feed her, very kind of her to be sure), I have a pair of scrub jays who live with me year round and are quite the characters. The sight of them both splashing in my birdbath makes me feel the world is not always a dark place filled with absurdities. They never clean up after themselves, and that’s fine by me. Note my huge desert flora displayed majestically in the background, yet another fine character!

Richard Fox - Painting in Living Color and Liking It! 1
Vallejo, CaliforniaDecember 1, 2020

“Still life with Bowl”, Oil on canvas. Another important part of my work are my still life paintings. I got my love of still life from my dad, who was an avid shutterbug of his garden tulips and African violets. They are deceptive, these types of paintings. To get them to work without embellishment and to bring to bear your own stamp so they don’t look anonymous and hackneyed, I strip them down to their essence in my mind while composing them and think of them as singing. (Really, I do.) Not like Disney in Alice in Wonderland, but still. There, you now have the secret. My plants—they sing. (!)

Reader Interactions

92Comments

  3. 3.

    WaterGirl

    @Richard Fox: Yay!

    I am having a friend over for homemade strawberry margaritas on the porch.  She just arrived so I won’t be monitoring the post as much as I usually do.

    If something comes up and I’m needed, someone here who knows my phone number can call to alert me.

    But I’ll try to check in a little bit in any case.

  6. 6.

    Tehanu

    Lovely paintings.  As a (practically) native Californian I like “Hill at Paradise Beach” the best — those golden hills on the horizon are so evocative.

  8. 8.

    Scout211

    Thank you for showing your paintings.  They are all lovely.  The colors are so bright and so full of happy.  My favorite is the “Scrub Jay at Bird Bath.”  Beautiful lines in that one.

    Plus, I love Northern California.  :)

  11. 11.

    Richard Fox

    @Tehanu: I try to do them justice. :-) The light shifts so quickly, and it’s a new look with each moment. I used a kind of kaleidoscopic effect in my mind so I get all the colors at one swoop. That was the idea if that makes sense. :-)

  12. 12.

    Richard Fox

    @schrodingers_cat: Ah yes, brushes – I forgot. I have an assortment of a company “New York Central” also Winsor & Newton. I try looking for bargains as they cost a bundle. I am good with synthetic bristles usually. It works fine for me.

  13. 13.

    Yutsano

    The “Hill at Paradise Beach” painting has “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” vibes to me. Which to me is a good thing!

    Also: the only other city I know of that has rapid hill drops like San Francisco is Seattle. Ours are masked a bit by the massive engineering projects to make downtown habitable. Still it’s a neat comparison to make.

  19. 19.

    schrodingers_cat

    @Richard Fox: Any particular brands that you like? Thanks

    I used to draw and paint mostly water colors as a teen, and I have gotten into coloring books for adults as my pandemic hobby and now I want to get back into doing water colors again hence my question.

    I like the Tiburon landscape the best.

  20. 20.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    Awesome artwork, Richard! I especially love “Pacific Heights to the Bay”. I’ve never been to San Francisco, but I’ve always thought the famous hilled streets and stately 19th century houses were impressive and beautiful, qualities you’ve captured well.

    Would you say you have any influences on your style/work?

  21. 21.

    Richard Fox

    @schrodingers_cat: I like New York Central Brushes and also Winsor & Newton’s. For watercolor paper I go with Arches cold press 140 lbs or the heavier sheets @ 300 lbs if I want to splurge. Canvas I like to go with Old Holland and also Windsor & Newton as well.

  22. 22.

    Richard Fox

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): thank you ! I’m a bit of a mix. I love the Fauvist painters like Derain and Vlaminck and Matisse but I also go with the German expressionist painters as well. Emile Nolde and Max Beckmann, and also with great American artists like John Marin, Fairfield Porter and Marsden Hartley and Charles Demuth. I love them all. And I’m Always looking for new (and old) artists to check out. :-)

  25. 25.

    NeenerNeener

    Your “Chardonnay Grapes” would make a really eye-catching label on wine bottles. I really like the “Eucalyptus Grove”, too.

  30. 30.

    Juju

    Hello Richard. I love your work. I had a visit to California a bit over 10 years ago that started in Los Angeles, went up northward and ended in Napa and then back to Los Angeles. I drove by way of highway 101, I think. It was scenic, but not scary cliff driving and
    was the recommended route for seeing more of the state. I have never felt as happy in a place as I did when I was in Napa and surrounding areas. My Powerball dream is to buy a house in Napa or nearby. I looked at your website and the paintings made me smile. I’m sure in person the feelings would be even better. I have bookmarked your website and I hope can buy one your paintings someday. Until then, I’ll have to make due with visiting your website.

  31. 31.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Oh, these are wonderful, Richard! If I were forced to select a favourite, it would probably be “Rocks and Reflections, Monterey” — but “Scrub Jay in at Birdbath” is a very close second.

    Thanks for joining us. A Fox and a bunch of Jackals, what could possibly go wrong? :-)

     

    (Tiny edit. Changed a preposition.)

  32. 32.

    Richard Fox

    @SiubhanDuinne: oh lord that’s making me crack up. A hearty thank you. I understand there’s a silent pact between foxes and jackals to join forces when times are tough and to smile knowingly when passing in the field. :-)

  33. 33.

    Donald Tuthill

    @watergirl, thank you for featuring my dear friend @RichardFox.  I’ve known him forever and have loved his paintings just as long.  They are beautiful and full of love.  So happy he is getting out there and being seen and appreciated.

  35. 35.

    sab

    I love your watercolors. They are so vibrant. Water colors are among my favorite art works, but usually they seem so careful. Yours really seem to move.

  36. 36.

    Richard Fox

    @Juju: that’s so kind of you. Thank you. I’m glad my feeling towards this location comes through. It fills me with joy and love just looking out at the rows of vines and vineyards. I am hoping to really do a whole suite of work that gives the cycle of the land. A portrait of the space, as it were. These days are so dark and sad, it keeps me alive and thriving in spite of everything. Again, many thanks for the thoughtful support. It’s appreciated! Cheers.

  37. 37.

    Regine Touchon

    I’m a big color fan when it comes to artwork and yours pop off your canvases in a harmonious way.  Thanks for exhibiting your work here and good luck with finding a place that would hang them.

  40. 40.

    prostratedragon

    These make me feel happy.  I particularly like Eucalyptus Grove and Paradise Hill. The trees give the latter the stately quality of Grand Jatte, but the vibrant colors remind me of the mate to that painting whose name I never remember.  Hope you get a good show soon.

  41. 41.

    skerry

    Love the watercolors. I like a lot of color and these are wonderful. Tiburon is one of my favorite places too.

  42. 42.

    Richard Fox

    Hi sab- I work so hard to make them look like they bounce off the page. You actually name a reason watercolors are not taken as seriously as they should- they become rather like a paint by number exercise. (If I may be so bold as to express a criticism generally). They are capable of such expressiveness as they are so quick in application, that’s their nature. I love doing them for that reason. :-)

  46. 46.

    Regine Touchon

    I’m a big color fan when it comes to artwork and yours pop off your canvases in a harmonious way. Thanks for exhibiting your work here and good luck with finding a place that would hang them.

  48. 48.

    Sure Lurkalot

    There’s a peacefulness amidst the vibrancy in your work, I think from your natural subjects and composition. Exhilarating and comforting.

    A former client is a painter, mostly watercolor, much en plein air. He once described a watercolor painting as a journey whose destination is unknown at first but reveals itself  along the way.  That the challenge of it is putting down those first strokes when you really don’t know where it’s going to go. I wonder if you’d agree. It seems true that some media are more deliberate and some more precarious.

  49. 49.

    Juju

    I think your work is reminiscent of is Wayne Thiebaud. His work is colorful, cheerful and I love the subject matter.

  50. 50.

    Richard Fox

    @Sure Lurkalot:

    I absolutely agree. I might add I look at watercolor rather akin to actors acting. You may know your lines and the script, but in actual performance you let go and stuff happens you might not intend, and give insight in another direction to what you think you are saying. I’m not an actor but I love the craft and I believe that controlled-spontaneity vibe – the yin yang- really excites me artistically. I hope that sense comes through. It’s hard work, but I don’t like the work to feel like that, if you know what I mean. Cheers. :-)

  55. 55.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Richard Fox:

    Just looked up Fauvism. Thanks for pointing me in that direction : )

    I can definitely see the influence. Your art style actually reminded me of Impressionism at first

  56. 56.

    Richard Fox

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I’m a mix for sure. I love painting outside like an impressionist but if I want feel a tree is for example a deep blue -not nature’s choice but my own- I just go with it. My general take is we all filter our perceptions anyway, and we all see things unique to ourselves.

  57. 57.

    laura

    Wow- I really like your work! Watercolors are hard. I’m taking a drawing class and my brain shift to the non-verbal artistic side is a struggle but the chance to learn skills for artistic expression is worth the struggle and frustration.

    Napa is a lovely county, and like all of NorCal, that low and golden afternoon light is the closest thing to magic I’ve ever seen. Do you have a favorite time of the day or time of the year to capture, or do you catch as catch can?

  58. 58.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @Richard Fox: No egads necessary! I like your comparison to actors, it too is very apt.

    Is it me or the painting that’s in control? The answer seems to be, “we work it out.”

    Hope you get a show or space!

  59. 59.

    Richard Fox

    @laura: thanks Laura! Late morning is my preferred time. I love the warm weather so I am usually trying to work out of doors from April to October. The rest of the time I usually go into my studio and do still life or motifs from memory. It depends. But before noon I like the most when I’m out and about. The shadows are not as pronounced and it induces a dream like feel depending on my mood / choice of locales. I prefer things that suggest rather than define, if that makes sense. It works well with watercolor and that carries over into my work in oil painting.

  60. 60.

    laura

    @Richard Fox: Mel Ramos, Gregory Kondos and the Big T Wayne Thiebaud would agree with your bold and personal color choices

    I I particularly like the gestural aspects and they remind me of David Hockney who gets good value with few sweeps of color.

  71. 71.

    WaterGirl

    My friend just left and I have 2 margaritas under my belt.  Now I finally get to read the thread.

    Funny how we all seem to have favorites!  Mine is “Pacific Heights to the Bay,”

    I also love the montage of the 9 at the top, with all those images of you painting.

  73. 73.

    SFBayAreaGal

    Being a native born San Franciscan, I love how you captured Pacific Heights looking into the bay. (Love driving up and down those hills ?)

    My favorite is all of them. Love Monterey, the wine country, Tiburon, San Francisco, and your own backyard.

  76. 76.

    Richard Fox

    @WaterGirl: You have been so kind and helpful. I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me to have someone who had no knowledge of what I do take such a positive interest and give me a platform to share the work with the Balloon juice jackals. :-)

  86. 86.

    stinger

    You had me at “Chardonnay Grapes” — but all these images are so expressive, especially the people and the jays! “By the Bay” is wonderful!

    I lived in Monterey for a year; as a Midwesterner I understand what you mean about the quality of the light. Thank you so much for sharing these paintings.

  88. 88.

    Richard Fox

    @Nancy Flanagan: Working in the field— nothing quite like it. When I’m bereft of ideas I say screw that just go outside and look around. The ideas take care of themselves. I sometimes have to go a bit further afield by car but it usually hits me at some point and then I just go for it and paint. :-)

  89. 89.

    Richard Fox

    @stinger: thanks very much, Stinger. Today was very meaningful to me. I’m trying to keep the artwork going. I have a vision of what I want to express but sometimes the wear and tear of living impedes me. Having positive feedback from folks who’ve never seen what I do, is impactful. Thanks again.

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