Richard Ponder

Richard Ponder Yellow Rona Gallery Wellington

Discover Wellington Artist Richard Ponder

Click here to see more Richard Ponder paintings

Click here for Richard Ponder Prints

       
Flower PaintingsImpressionism
      
Landscape PaintingsAbstract Art /Expressionism

About Richard Ponder

With a career spanning nearly fifty years Wellington artist Richard Ponder has created several notable - and often imitated - art series, including, most famously, Wellington at Night. A well-respected artist, his discipline and eye for detail began back in the 1960’s as a geologist, when his thesis required the accurate drawing of hundreds of tiny creatures called foraminifera. In the late seventies, Richard’s brother Michael became interested in painting. Mike quickly picked up Richard’s knife painting technique and they challenged each other with new ideas and innovations, exchanging ideas and spurring one another on to become full time artists.

Richard’s love of roaming the New Zealand backcountry with his family led him to concentrate on landscape painting in the late 1970’s and early ‘80’s. Already, with his emphasis on composition and the interaction of between colours in different lights, he was beginning to show his true potential. During this period, the images in his paintings were based on early morning observations, with the excitement of dawn with its variety of light and colour. The work from this era was published in the long since sold out, limited edition book, Quiet Places.

On the proceeds of his success Richard visited art galleries all around the world to gain a deeper understanding of the greats. He fell in love with the strength of Van Gogh (from Van Gogh Starry Night to Van Gogh Sunflowers), the impressions of Monet (including the famous Water Lilies Monet), the colour of Perceval, and the exhilaration of Pollock. Their influences can be found in his quiet paintings, but in the 1990’s he threw caution to the wind. The dramatic change in his art came about after a trip to Bali where he fell in love with the work of Affandi and Sumadiyasa.

Richard now works more freely, playing with the light and colour, so that his stunning art now takes centre stage wherever it is. Known for his impasto technique, Richard Ponder loves using palette knives to create a three dimensional aspect to his paintings, that has to be seen to be believed. And works in progress can be seen when visiting his studio in Eastbourne. Please ring 021 538995 or email info@ronagallery.co.nz.

His works are also available from Black Door Gallery, Auckland.

      
Spring in the Mountains Giclee Pond in Spring Giclee

See Richard's Impasto paintings live to get the real physical presence of these works of art.

Richard’s art and books (still in print) can be purchased from this website, or from the Rona Gallery, 151 Muritai Road, on appointment. For inquiries, please ring Richard Ponder at 021 538995 or email info@ronagallery.co.nz. Click  to see some of Richard Ponder's Prints and Books

Richard's art is also available from the Black Door Gallery, 251 Parnell Road Auckland.

In the News!

Richard Ponder is getting ready to judge fine art at the Waimarino and Hutt Art Awards 2019. These competitions are a great way for up and coming artists to have a chance to show their art and get together with fellow artists.

Nadia Lim talks to Cecilia Robinson talked about Richard and Michael Ponder's Art during an interview (approx 10 minutes in)

Richard Ponder's feature on Pete Carter's Artist Profiles, sponsored by The Art Library Ltd

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Some of the other types of art Richard is known for include, Abstract Impressionism, Poppy Paintings, Colourful Paintings, Farming, Houses, Modern Art, NZ Art, Outback, Splatter Painting, Wellington at Night. Click here to see some of Richard Ponder's latest paintings.