Richard McKenzie

<div><span data-contrast="auto">I am a proud Glaswegian, raised in Partick.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span data-contrast="auto">When I was a young lad, I always had a football under my arm, looking for the next kickabout with pals. We were out in all weather and staying way past my parents’ curfew time. Back in school, I loved Art and Sport however, in reality, I was told neither topic was going to give me a “proper job”.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span data-contrast="auto">Many many years later I gave up football, finally realising I wasn’t going to be the next “Messi” and I needed a new hobby. I enrolled in a six-week Art class for beginners which was a lot less hazardous than playing football. I found Art therapeutic. I absolutely loved bringing a plain canvas to life by simply using oil paints and brushes to create beautiful land and seascapes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span data-contrast="auto">Out of the blue one day, I was approached by a stranger, who asked to buy one of my paintings for a wedding present....wow!! Over the last 10 years I have sold many originals and giclee prints in shops, exhibitions and bespoke commissions.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span data-contrast="auto">I still dream of scoring the winning goal in a World Cup final for Scotland, however, I love creating beautiful paintings which others appreciate. I am always very humbled when my customers send a photo of their painting proudly hanging in their house</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span data-contrast="auto"></span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</span></div>
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My Journey as an "artist" began when I moved house 8 years ago and I was in search for colourful pictures for our walls. It was my wife who suggested I try painting something as up to now it was only the walls. My challenge therefore was to learn to paint and have something on our new home walls that I could say was my own work. I discovered the great Den Bannister, an artist from Liverpool who guided and encouraged my new found hobby to a level my work was being recognised and purchased.

I work in oil on canvas and I believe in a mixture of reality and artistic licence to achieve colourful results. My own success has surprised me as I have sold paintings in art exhibitions, local high street shops and have numerous commissions including from abroad. I am passionate about Scotland and in particular its beautiful coast lines therefore it's what gives me the most pleasure. I do hope you have the same feelings as I do and encourage everyone to find Scotland's beautiful coasts.