Hello, my name is Mike Richins, and this is my drawing “Late Afternoon Thoughts on Degas”
This drawing is of my lovely wife, Amanda, and is part of a larger series of drawings and paintings that I’ve been working on over the past 20 years, that focuses on the intimacies of our relationship.
The drawing depicts Amanda in the act of pulling her hair up into a bun, something I’ve seen her do many times over the years. I’ve long been fascinated with the drawings of the French artist Edgar Degas. His works, along with those of many other wonderful artists, have informed my art practice and approach. Degas created a variety of images that depict women at home, often brushing or drying their hair. Amanda and I have a shared love of these works, and so the image is in part a tribute to this.
The medium is charcoal and pastel on paper, which allows for very gestural, fluid mark-making that evokes the movement of hair, skin and fabric. I built the frame specifically for this piece. The walnut used is very close to the value and color of Amanda’s hair, which is something I really love.
Thank you so much for listening and spending time with my drawing.