From a design and fine art background, after finishing his artist's training, Richard found an artist's life very difficult to establish and a designer's one very frustrating. Richard ended up in the motor sport business ranging from world rally to Formula 1 – travelling worldwide for the next five years.
Having seen so much of the world Richard's whole outlook on life changed; he never put down his drawing pad, constantly sketching cars and scenery. Never feeling quite at home and constantly living out of a suitcase, Richard would produce art pieces when back at home and sell them at local galleries, this leading to commissions.
Leaving the race track and 'go go' lifestyle behind changed everything for Richard and he has since devoted all of his time to art on glass, his preferred medium, using a unique style of oil painting.
Landscapes and skies are constantly changing, giving Richard Rowan a constant flow of inspiration which he enjoys exploring.
Richard sketches many scenes in the countryside which he records in a book, as well as taking digital images. His reference material contains anything from scenes of the Lake District to Hanoi. When back in the studio, Richard uses these images to transport himself back to these stunning locations and plan out a design of the picture to develop on glass.
Richard likes to challenge himself with difficult work, commenting that "painting oil on glass can make you want to tear your hair out", but is also satisfying at the same time. When he sits down to paint, he wants to paint better than the last time; pushing the boundaries of what he can do. Once he finishes a painting, he wants people to look at the piece, be drawn in and find themselves lost in his work.