Richard Oversmith
Colors of Life / September 5th - 30th, 2025
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art is honored to announce a new solo exhibition by Richard Oversmith opening September 5th. The opening of “Colors of Life” will coincide with the Charleston Gallery Association’s First Friday Artwork from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The artist will be in attendance and looks forward to meeting patrons of the arts. The shows will run through September 30th.
The show consists of 26 new works painted in a variety of mediums including oils, acrylics and gouache. The subjects vary from beach and coastal marsh scenes to quaint and colorful Mediterranean villages, sailboats along the Seine River to couples strolling in Parisian gardens. “Giverny Shadows” is one of the masterpieces in the show that Richard recently won First Place for in the Salon competition for Modern Impressionist Magazine. This collection exudes color, energy and light that transport the viewer to the dreamy locales from Charleston to France. Richard is a globetrotter and enjoys exploring the various landscapes and cultures he immerses himself in.
Richard Oversmith received formal training in Fine Art and Illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While at Kendall he was invited to study at the Royal College of Art in London, England. There he gained experience in plein air painting and found direction in his work as an oil painter. He graduated from Kendall College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995 and moved back to his home state of North Carolina to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist.
The natural beauty of Western North Carolina has proven to offer infinite inspiration for Richard's impressionistic landscapes. From rolling mountains to abundant waterfalls, the majestic Biltmore Estate to a simple farm scene, this region evokes the artist’s muse. Richard finds inspiration not only at home but in his many travels. He has painted all over the USA and has taken several trips overseas to France and Italy. Whether at home or abroad, Richard surrounds himself in the elements of the scene while painting, in true "en plein air" fashion. In the studio, his sense of vision and mood guide him to produce still-lifes ranging from the classic to the imaginative.
Richard's purpose in painting is to provoke the viewer to interact with his pieces. His paintings are his voice, and stroke by stroke, he composes a whole that relates his vision. Richard works in oil on linen, a medium compatible with the passion he puts into his creation. He strives to achieve a mood in every painting through the use of visual stimuli as color, edges, value and drawing. He has derived his style from the lifelong study of past masters, the influence of contemporary painters he admires, and elements that have evolved from deep within himself. He allows the setting to speak to him, creating only as many brushstrokes as are needed for the viewer's eyes to understand and connect.
Lets Talk Art!
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU