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Richard McDonald: Creative Compulsion
SummaryAlthough formally trained in decorative paint effects and graphic design at Unitec and MIT respectively; and having worked as an art school technician, Richard considers himself a predominantly self-taught painter with a creative compulsion. 
Main BodyCurrently, this compulsion is finding its outlet in intricately wrought paintings of birdlife. It's a subject matter he considers a natural choice given the unique avian heritage Kiwis have been bequeathed and he has evolved a methodology and style as delicate as his subjects are, often including allegorical imagery to add another dimension to his works.
“Although they're fascinating creatures in their own right, there's also a rich history of birds in folklore worldwide from which to draw inspiration; I love the idea of the human/avian interrelationship,” says Richard.
Above we see another great work in progress.
Richard explains that it is “pretty much a celebration of what's great about springtime with Mr (or Miss?) Tūī waiting 'in the wings' for a coat of paint”.
Birds aside, landscapes and historic aircraft have also featured in his repertoire, but he says there's no guarantee of what he'll be painting in a couple of years as “ideas have a tendency to metamorphose and expand into different areas”.
Citing influences as often being subconscious, he lists among the more obvious ones a love of native NZ birds, a fascination with the East Asian aesthetic and a penchant for detail.
“I work in oils, on either board or canvas with the occasional addition of other media (ie gold leaf, enamel paint) and like to create pieces which not only are visually appealing but in which I can engage and entice the viewer to observe closely and search a little deeper,” says Richard.
Original articles contained another image here.
Painted in 2009, 'Fruit flies' is a whimsical exploration of the nutrient cycle/seed dispersal concept taken literally (as the fruit usually flies off in their gut) and is a bit of a slant on the still life genre. Richard adds that it was, “Thoroughly plain fun to paint!”
Richard exhibited in the 'What it is to be Kiwi' exhibition at Harrison's Gallery on 11th Avenue in September. It's always good to see interesting art and this display of contemporary New Zealand artists has been described by many as one of the best Tauranga exhibitions this year.
Richard can be contacted at zenxxx@clear.net.nz
Read more about his art on www.artavian.blogspot.com
by Pete Morris (2010).
Pete Morris is an occasional painter and art lover. He is a freelance writer with a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga.
This page archived at Perma CC in November of 2016: https://perma.cc/LZS3-4LTZ
Main BodyCurrently, this compulsion is finding its outlet in intricately wrought paintings of birdlife. It's a subject matter he considers a natural choice given the unique avian heritage Kiwis have been bequeathed and he has evolved a methodology and style as delicate as his subjects are, often including allegorical imagery to add another dimension to his works.“Although they're fascinating creatures in their own right, there's also a rich history of birds in folklore worldwide from which to draw inspiration; I love the idea of the human/avian interrelationship,” says Richard.
Above we see another great work in progress.
Richard explains that it is “pretty much a celebration of what's great about springtime with Mr (or Miss?) Tūī waiting 'in the wings' for a coat of paint”.
Birds aside, landscapes and historic aircraft have also featured in his repertoire, but he says there's no guarantee of what he'll be painting in a couple of years as “ideas have a tendency to metamorphose and expand into different areas”.
Citing influences as often being subconscious, he lists among the more obvious ones a love of native NZ birds, a fascination with the East Asian aesthetic and a penchant for detail.
“I work in oils, on either board or canvas with the occasional addition of other media (ie gold leaf, enamel paint) and like to create pieces which not only are visually appealing but in which I can engage and entice the viewer to observe closely and search a little deeper,” says Richard.
Original articles contained another image here.
Painted in 2009, 'Fruit flies' is a whimsical exploration of the nutrient cycle/seed dispersal concept taken literally (as the fruit usually flies off in their gut) and is a bit of a slant on the still life genre. Richard adds that it was, “Thoroughly plain fun to paint!”
Richard exhibited in the 'What it is to be Kiwi' exhibition at Harrison's Gallery on 11th Avenue in September. It's always good to see interesting art and this display of contemporary New Zealand artists has been described by many as one of the best Tauranga exhibitions this year.
Richard can be contacted at zenxxx@clear.net.nz
Read more about his art on www.artavian.blogspot.com
by Pete Morris (2010).
Pete Morris is an occasional painter and art lover. He is a freelance writer with a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga.
This page archived at Perma CC in November of 2016: https://perma.cc/LZS3-4LTZ
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Pete Morris, Richard McDonald: Creative Compulsion. Pae Korokī, accessed 13/02/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/6159
