The "Father Of Caribbean Impressionism" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Writing a story for the Christmas season when I came across some of the most interesting and beautiful photographs taken by Ryan Tackling and posted on the website WE ARE ST.MAARTEN ST.MARTIN.

Sir Roland Richardson as photographed by Ryan Tackling

I posted them on a recent story, but never had the chance to post perhaps his best photograph taken of one of the world's most famous living artists, known as the father of Caribbean Impressionism, Sir Roland Richardson.  I recently read an article about Sir Roland which was written by Sarah Mitchell who brought his artwork to the forefront of Caribbean impressionism.  My wife Carol and I have visited Roland's gallery at #6 Rue de la Republique in Marigot, St. Martin several times and just love the two-story home with a rear garden that fronts an old barracks that held French troops during several wars.  

#6 Rue de la Republique in Marigot, St. Martin

The two story house, which was his family's early settlement, also served at one time as Marigot's town hall.  You can't miss the house with the bright red shutters and whitewashed walls with a second story balcony with ornamental artwork and wooden railings.  

Sir Roland showing my wife his rear garden and barracks.

When we first met Sir Roland about ten years ago, we found we had many things in common being that we both share the same birth year and both loved working with etchings, engravings, woodcuts and drypoint prints.  The only difference was that he was professionally skilled in each while I only taught the skills, certainly not with the same talent that Roland possesses.  

Very seldom do you see Roland without his hat.
This is one of my favorite photos I have of his residence.

I have written quite a few stories about Sir Roland in the past, but never tire of reading more about his life and artwork.  As Ms. Mitchell wrote, the 19th-century art movement Impressionism began in Paris and was concentrated on conveying the immediate visual impression of the world, utilizing small but bold brush strokes, contrasts of color and ordinary or familiar subject matter.  First criticized for being a naive and trivial approach to art, it spread around the world and influenced the development of other forms of media.  Impresionists preferred free brush strokes over attention to specific details and definition and often painted 'en plein air' (outdoors), a technique that captured the true effects of the sunlight and environment.

Sir Roland painting 'en plein air'.  Painting is titled "Blue Agave".

Sir Roland Richardson is known for his 'en plein air' technique and can ofter be found working outdoors on either the Dutch or French side of the island.  In 2007 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands knighted Roland, thus his title of Sir Roland.  He has also received a lifetime achievement award from the French government.  One day a few years ago we caught Roland in his studio as he was straightening out his tubes of paint and brushes.  

Sir Roland signing our print of "Blue Agave".

He generously took us on a tour of his gallery and his rear garden and explained the history of the barracks that stand behind his home.  We try to make visits each time we travel to St. Martin in hopes of getting to visit with him and see his latest pieces of artwork.  As Ms. Mitchell writes, he is the father of Cribbean Impressionism and even though his art is rooted in the Caribbean, art students around the world know him for his mastery of multiple mediums and his impressionistic landscape paintings of his homeland.  We love the pieces we have purchased from him and have placed them in prominent places in our home so others may also view them, but also so that everyday we have the chance to see them as we walk through our home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

Another favorite photograph I took of Sir Roland Richardson at his gallery in St. Martin.