about the artist the Toft online gallery original paintings and drawings available egg tempera prints Richard Toft's show schedule return to the main page

Artist

ARTIST STATEMENT

The creation of a painting or drawing is a meditation allowing me to stay in a timeless moment. When I am working, I find myself apart from the distraction of the past and the uncertainty of the future. It is an island of silence: an oasis that allows me to contemplate a world apart from my everyday reality. The sensory overload that is all too common is replaced with a calmness that allows me to see more holistically, to become energized and spiritually renewed. Hopefully, my finished work allows the observer to be witness to the process and in that moment of observation to share the experience of inner peace.

I live in a maritime environment and my inspiration is taken from that experience. My work is grounded in contemporary realism; however, my current interest also incorporates some of the principles of the aesthetic movement. I am working on a series of “Nocturnes” in which the subtle light of dusk or night is capable of creating a veil that transforms the ordinary into something more universal. There is a sense of mystery as the commonplace becomes more poetic. The compositions are very simple, the colors are reduced to complimentary harmonies and the paint is used in thin translucent layers.

The unique properties of egg tempera make it the perfect medium for me to explore the language of form and to express my emotions in that language. It is a medium grounded in the craftsmanship of painting. It is possible to layer an infinite number of glazes into a “weaving” that has a distinctive luminosity. Also, it is possible to create very intricate textures and the linear properties of the medium allow me to create the exacting detail that is characteristic of my work. The methodical cross- hatched brush strokes become part of the meditative process. They are also part of the archeology of the work that allows the viewer to enter into that process. Egg tempera slows me down and allows me to go beyond the impressions of the painting and into the “bones” of the subject.


RICHARD TOFT
www.toftstudio.com

I was born in Amsterdam, New York. Educated in the public school system as a "southpaw" in a right-handed world, drawing for me became an intuitive comfort at an early age. The description of "compulsive potential artist" used by my teachers during that time has been with me for my lifetime. Hopefully, "potential" will be dropped when the completed body of work is reviewed and my journey is completed.

My academic background is in environmental studies from Cornell University with graduate work in environmental design and architecture from the University of Minnesota. I was introduced to the Beaux-Arts approach to architectural drawing that combined precision drawing with watercolor washes. I became fascinated with the work of the British 19th century watercolorists. In addition, I was exposed to classical realism and that has become a lasting influence in my work. Over the years, my preparation and experience evolved into a career as an environmental designer and freelance fine art illustrator.

The transition to a career in fine art began in 1990. As illustration raced forward into a new digital era, my interests went back in time to the egg tempera painters of the early Renaissance. I came to love the traditional approach of very detailed drawings combined with precisely developed layers of color. Also, at the same time, a window of opportunity opened for me to pursue my other obsession; sailing and my love of the sea. My home and studio were reduced to fit aboard a 34ft. sloop and I sailed out of the Great Lakes to discover new horizons.

Until recently, I had been living aboard "Murmur" cruising the eastern seaboard of the United States with my wife Christina and our German Shepherd co-captain Mack. We have now combined our experience with a "home base" on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. My work remains focused on fine art with an emphasis on contemporary realism created in the spirit of old world craftsmanship. The themes are coastal life and traditions, maritime in nature, and the technique is classic egg tempera.

My work has been shown in both one man shows and group exhibitions. I have been included in a major international exhibit at the Maritime Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. Currently, I am included in a major national exhibit with the American Society of Marine Artists. I have been fortunate to have my illustration and fine art placed in private, institutional and corporate collections including the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. My work is included in the book "Contemporary American Marine Art" published by the American Society of Marine Artists and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine has featured my work in a recent article on the history of maritime art. I am proud to have won recognition from the American Institute of Architects for excellence in drawing. In addition to numerous awards for both drawing and painting, I am especially honored to have won "Best of Show" awards in Miami, Florida; Ocean City, New Jersey; Glastonbury, Connecticut; Marco Island, Florida; and, most recently, Naples, Florida.

As the obsession continues, I am hopeful that the future will hold still more interesting adventures. Upcoming museum exhibits include: Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE; Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD; Noyes Museum of Art in Atlantic City, NJ; Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, SC; and the New Bedford Art Museum in New Bedford, MA. Please check my website (www.toftstudio.com) for new work, existing limited edition prints and a current exhibition schedule.

Recent Awards
Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta, Georgia  
Best of Category, 2010
Mystic Seaport Maritime International Exhibition, Mystic, CT
Selected Exhibitor, 2001
Tequesta Outdoor Fine Art Festival, Tequesta, FL
First Place, 2002
Manatee Outdoor Art Festival, Apollo Beach, FL
Merit Award, 2002
Stuart Chamber of Commerce Annual Art Exhibition, Stuart, FL
Merit Award, 2002
Ocean City Boardwalk Art Show, Ocean City, NJ
Best of Show, 2002
2nd Place in painting, 2005
Award of Merit 2006
Award of Excellence 2007
Award of Excellence 2008
Purchase Award Winner 2009
Honorable Mention 2010
Gainesville Chamber Outdoor Festival of Art, Gainesville, FL
Award of Distinction, 2002
Award of Distinction, 2003
South Miami Art Expo, Miami, FL
First Place, 2004
University of Miami Lowe Museum Beaux Arts Festival, Miami, FL
First Place 2003
Second Place 2004
Chatham Art League Outdoor Art Festival, Chatham, MA
First Place, 2003
Featured Artist of Festival, 2004
Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT
Second Place, 2003
First Place 2006
Second Place- Drawing, 2008
Virginia Beach Neptune Art Festival, Virginia Beach, VA
First Place 2003
Award of Excellence 2007
Saint Stephens Coconut Grove Annual Outdoor Art Festival, Coconut Grove, FL
First Place, 2004
Award of Merit, 2005
Third Place in Category, 2010
Naples National Arts Festival, Lieberg center for the Arts, Naples, FL
Best of Show, 2004
Bonita Springs Art League Show, Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs (Winter).....
Bonita Springs (Spring).....
Bonita Springs (Winter).....
Award of Distinction, 2004
Award of Excellence, 2005
Award of Excellence, 2006
Award of Distinction, 2010
Cape May Boardwalk Art Festival, Cape May, NJ
Third Place, 'Painting', 2005
Williamsburg Occasion for the Arts
Award of Merit, 2005
Art On the Square, Williamsburg Va.
Best in Catagory, 2009
Art League of Marco Island, Winterberry Park, Marco Island, FL
Best of Show, 2006
31st Annual Mt. Dora Arts Festival, Downtown, Mt Dora, FL  
Award of Excellence, 2006
Frederick Festival Of The Arts; Linear Park, Frederick, MD  
Award of Excellence, 2007
Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show; Virginia Beach, VA  
Award of Honor, 2007
Gosport Arts Festival, Porthmouth VA.  
Award of Distinction, 2009
Stockley Gardens Art Festival, Ghent , Norfolk VA.  
Ed Carson Memorial Award, 2009
Best in Show, 2010
Seawall Art Show , Ghent , Porthmouth VA.  
Second Place- In Show, 2009
New Hope Art Festival , New Hope PA.  
Second Place- In Painting, 2009
Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival, Newport News, VA  
First Place in Show, 2009


about the artist the Toft online gallery original paintings and drawings available egg tempera prints Richard Toft's show schedule return to the main page