Richard O'Connell Paintings

We were lucky enough to be able to welcome local, award-winning artist Richard O’Connell to the School on Wednesday 12^th July 2023 and we were delighted to receive two pieces of his work which we have proudly displayed in the main building alongside two other scenes of Penarth and the in the Art department to inspire our talented students.  Richard was born in another beautiful seaside town (The Mumbles, Swansea) in 1947 and has held exhibitions all over the UK and his paintings can be found in Baliol College, the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Cardiff Univeristy Arts Library and as far afield as Rheinfelden Council in Germany!

Below is a description of the paintings gifted to Stanwell School and an explanation of them kindly written for us by Richard.  We would like to express our gratitude for the kind donations and hope that you enjoy them on your next visit to the school. 

Picture 1:  The Departure, Penarth Head.  2012 – 23. Oils on canvas. Frame size: 108 x 108cm

The painting works on different levels. Primarily it is a straightforward image of a windy day on Penarth Head cliff top.  Dog walkers are watching tugboats returning to port after towing out a large ship disappearing on the horizon.  The ruined building shown is the old Summer House now inaccessible from the cliff pathway.  Long ago access was gained from the beach along a narrow path way.  You could walk around the ruin as I did several times. The girls in the picture are my granddaughters.  The little rider pose was suggested in their play with a friendly old dog. The port and starboard buoys are in the correct position allowing a channel for incoming small boats.  On another level there is the drama of survival being played out.  The well wrapped walkers look on as gulls and terns patrol the sea and tides.  The birds existence could not be tougher as they glide and dive in all weathers. On a grander level the weather effects suggest hope and despair with, to right, the departing ship sailing into the gloom and to left, the sunrise with the little tugs ploughing towards the sunlight.

Picture 2:  Self portrait of Richard wearing a rastafa cap.  2022.  Oils on canvas. Frame size: 42x 52cm.

The face is always a challenge. Its impact affected by makeup, hair covering, hats and caps. The rastafarian cap suggests sun and sea in a vibrant happy place far from our grey shores. It also gives the painting a colourful area that contrasts with the muted half tones of the flesh.  Analysing and researching facial colouring and various ‘add ons’ is a fascinating subject and would make a good project.  Interestingly, our Celtic ancestors covered themselves in dyes and tribal markings.  The accepted idea of black and white has always seemed to me a lazy interpretation.