Visiting the LAF artists: Richard Hayward and Richard Allen

It’s hotting up here for the Lexden Arts Festival! Two artist visits in the last few days, both in Wivenhoe, the first on Saturday to Richard Hayward.

Richard is a photographer, and will be exhibition very stylish black and white photos of the local landscape. He has a real feeling for picking out unusual views, details and angles to make the viewer see the familiar with new insight. The largest of the images he will be showing, though, will be the beautiful photograph of a swan which can be seen in the picture behind him. Packs of postcards of some of Richard’s images will be available to buy at the Festival, along with unframed prints of his work.

Richard, who also does wedding and occasion photography, is at present revamping his online presence, but when his website is back up you can find out more about him and his work at www.richardhaywardphotography.com

Richard Hayward, photographer 

This morning saw us back down in Wivenhoe, this time visiting Richard Allen, who is a printmaker and watercolour artist specialising in birds. Graham and I both loved his watercolours, and have chosen five to exhibit, and Richard will also be exhibiting his black and white lino cut prints of a variety of birds.

He explained that he is an enthusiastic ‘birder’ and spends hours watching and drawing birds, in order to capture their essence in his work. He has extensively illustrated bird identification books, information boards for wildlife centres, and even postage stamps. His little book, ‘Coastal Birds’ will also be available at the Festival, along with unframed giclee prints of some of his watercolour paintings.

Richard Allen, printmaker and watercolour artist

To find out more about Richard Allen, and his work go to www.richardallenillustrator.com