This blog has moved to www.roisinofarrell.com

new blog address is http://www.roisinofarrell.com/

So today is the day!

We’re off, the bags are in the truck and the engine is running. I have a bit of a wobbly tummy but it will be fine if we can all just get there and I don’t leave anyone behind on the doorstep!

So here are all the relevant details:

If you are a follower on Google friends connect:
Please come over to the new website here and join up again. I know some of you have already so thank you if you have.

If you get my posts by email:
This should be the last one you get from the every other day paintings.blogspot link. If everything works (fingers and toes crossed) you should get the next one from roisinofarrell.com. If you don’t get any emails ever again from me, please would you mind terribly, entering your email address in again on the new site?

Finally if you are here for the first time:
Hi, welcome and to see more paintings and posts, come to my new website at http://www.roisinofarrell.com/

red chair

The doors are open and the sun is trying to warm the day up. The kids are out in the garden, all be it in wellies and I'm working lke a devil. All is right with the world.

That is except for that which won't be named (the new website shhh!). I've given in. I have lain down and rolled over and said "I give up". That is, I have paid a guy on the internet €75 an hour to fix it! Please god it only takes the hour!!

By the way I have news for you but I am holding my tongue (fingers?). I will tell all very soon. Meanwhile how about this little painting for a change. I haven't really done any interiors but I think I feel a few coming on. Inspired in no small way by  Liza Hirst's work. little paintings of beautiful warm interiors with a wonderful use of light and free brushwork.

Red Chair
6x6 inch on gessoed bord (framed as always) €195

not listening

If you're sitting on the edge of your seat  waiting for this new website of mine.(how likely is that?) I am here to tell you that yes its coming but actually I'm no further along with resolving the uploading issue. However, I fall back on the knowledge that "I am a human; it (my computer) is just plastic and circuit boards. Ergo I am bound to win. (eventually)

Thankfully my trusty blogger site never lets me down so here we will stay until I can sort it out or bribe some 10 year nerd to fix the problem for me.(if you know any please send them my way)

Thankfully the house is almost clear of chocolate now. Easter is a bit like how drug dealers start their customers off. Loads of stuff freely available, then suddenly it drys up and you have to “pony up” for more supplies. I have to say I am fighting the temptation to go buy more (my daughter helpfully pointed out that Easter eggs would be very cheap now!) But no. It’s all cold turkey from here on!

This painting is a larger version of "purdy in the pink". A 6x6inch painting I could of sold at least a couple of times over but which I'm too fond of to part with.

not listening
16x16 inch oil on stretched canvas

Perry Party

Happy Easter by the way!

If I see anymore chocolate between now and next year I swear I will turn a walk away. No really!

Anyway, I have hit a hitch on the website. (of course you have, I hear you say wearily) The final proofing changes wont' upload and I can't talk to the server people till tomorrow so hold on, don't unpack your bags. We'll be back on track tomorrow.

By the way if there's anything you'd like to purchase I can still officially charge the lower prices for another week or so. So grab'm while they're a steal!



perry party
16x16 inch oil on canvas €450

Any way the wind blows

So the new website is done. Ta da!

Well, almost, almost done. But that's the nature of websites, there’s always something else you can do. I’ll continue to work on improving it over time but for now everything is there and all the buttons an’ stuff work. So let’s go!

Now the next thing I have to do is pack up all my subscribers from feedburner etc. to bring with me. I’ll take some time over this because I really don’t want to leave anyone behind. There’s always one who had to nip back to use the loo at the last minute or go get something to eat.

Anyway the most important thing is, if you don’t hear from me again, please come find me and re subscribe. I'll miss you otherwise.

I willl post the new website address here before we go like a bread crumb trail for blog readers lost in the cyber woods.

Rob named this painting after a JJ Cale song (apparently)

16x16 inch oil on stretched canvas

Stacked

It’s easter break here and the kids are off. The weather is good – for ducks and cold to boot. So it’s a day for pj’s till noon, clearing out cubboards and putting on plays (the kids, not me!)

I am slacking off a little on the painting too as I’ve set myself a deadline of the end of the month to launch the new website (it’s the 29th!). It’s coming on, but one needs the patience of job and a proof reader from the Irish times wouldn’t go a miss either.

This is a little study I did this morning almost in black and white

Stacked 7×7 inch oil on gesso bord €195

Sleepover

It's been a very busy week. One commission, two submissions and possibly a second gallery to represent my work.

The two submissions are for a small gallery here in bray. The first for a solo exhibition entitled "diary of a daily painter" and the second called "generation" to feature 

• published short stories from my nana,
• watercolours from my mum and
• my oil paintings.

They still have to go through a selection process so fingers crossed.

Sleepover
16x16inch oil on streched canvas €450

Mr. Frawley takes a nap

Feeling sleepy? There's a nap for that!

Well. I think I've managed to persuade my family to holiday in Lahinch this summer. I have been campaigning solidly for a few weeks now and the votes are almost in.

The other candidate is a lovely house in Marseille who's family is interested in a house swap. Something we've done a number of times with great sucess, however I just don't have the energy or the will to clean behind the toilets this year!

So Lahinch it is (for me anyway) I am dropping "surf school" casually within hearing of the kids and hoping that will clinch it.

Anyway, as I'm thinking all things Lahinch here's a little painting of a tiny bar/shop in Lahinch where the owner is often seen taking the air outside. A bit of a gem really.

6x6inch oil on gesso bord €195

Whites Wash

This is a larger version of a painting that I did some months agao. In this case it's 16x16inch.

Whites Wash

16x16 inch on streched canvas €450

Here Boy!

So this little guy is a gift for a special little friend of mine who has a birthday coming up. Happy Birthday Niamh!

For those of you who know her, don't breath a word just yet.

10x10 inch oil on canvas
Not for sale

Do you sometimes end up hanging a painting twice because the first time it didn't look right, or the nial was showing, or it was too high etc.

Well here's everything you need to know about hanging art in two minutes, courtesy of emptyeasel.com.

Blackbird Berries

I just received a message from an artist friend and blogger, Susan Roux, who is taking a short break from daily painting. She's been feeling her energy ebb with the daily comitment to create on top of a busy life.  I have to say I can empathise with that. Being an artist and particularily a daily painter has all the advantages and disadvantages of being self employed and sometimes I can find it hard to work out where the bounderies should be, between creative preparation, painting and the business side of things. Not to mention other work and family commitments. Have a great break Susan and see you soon!

Blackbird Singing

A change in tempo from fruit!

There's a blackbird in our garden that keeps me company while I paint. I hear his lovely song even when the doors are closed. But every time I try to get a picture of him he gets stage fright so this is not actually him but he is my muse!

Blackbird singing
oil on gesso bord €195

Room for one more?

Mommalooney Day

So we had Mother's day here yesterday, I know it's a different day across the big pond but it's March 14th here. So, Mother's day times, my mother-in-law, my Mum and me. It was also my hubbies' birthday yesterday, his Dad's birthday tomorrow and eldest's birthday on Sunday next.

My Mum's birthday is somewhat of a moveable feast. The story goes that when she was born on the 13th of March the nurse couldn't bring herself to put the 13th on the child's birth certificate. Presumably condeming her to a life of bad luck. So she entered the 12th instead. Growing up in bording school my Mum celebrated her birthday on the nearest day off - St. Patrick's Day and during my childhood on the day myself and my sister saw her, a Sunday. So, now it's anyone's guess as to when we celebrate. This year for us it will be today. so happy birthday Mum! See you soon.

I hope that if you're a Mum, Mom, Gran, Nana or whatever, that you had a lovely day.

Writing for blogs

A few people asked me about the seminar that I went to on writing for blogs given by Mary Rose Lyons. Here she is giving the talk in 4 minutes! Don't say I'm not good to ya!




Room for one more?
16 x 16 inch oil on canvas €450

Coventry

Posting in rush once again. It seems I am unwitingly taking part in a challenge to visit all of the island in the shortest number of weekends.  We head off to the inlaws up north shortly.

Coventry
16x16 inch €450

Btw, I came across a post from Jeff Mahorney on his painting set up and was so impressed at how he has got it organised. Here is a photo of his set up using a guerilla box which holds pretty much everything he needs, included turps, brush and paper towel holders etc.

and by contrast one of mine! I paint in my kitchen as it's really the only space available and the mess does bother me (this is pretty tidy!) but hey you can't make an omelette... I have a utility room where I store the rest of my stuff but this is where I paint.

I'd love to see the set up of other painters. Particularily those who don't have the luxury of a studio!

Sunshine in a jar

How can painting sunflowers fail to lift your mood? I don't know, but I do know that loosing the website you've been working on since moses was a baby might do it!

Sunshine in a jar
6x6 inch on gesso bord €195

Picnic

Thanks be to God the sun is shining.

It's amazing the effect it has on us. I suddenly feel energized and ready to get stuff done! I'm still having to scrape the frost of the windscreen in the mornings with a credit card - must get one of those scraper things - but by 11am it's gorgeous.

Only problem with all this sun is getting directional light on my still life subjects. I paint in a very bright kitchen. The light comes from all around and from big skylights so it's difficult. I do use a box and a lamp. Do you have any suggestions?


Picnic
16x16 inch on canvas. €450 framed

Green Apple Punctuation

Is your brain lazy?

Well I hate to be rude but it seems so folks. I was at a seminar on blogging at the weekend by Mary Rose Lyons. She is one of those punctuation police types who should be incredibly boring but is in fact fascinating. She dropped one nerdy little fact in particular about our brains and how we read text. It turns out that when we get to the end of a line of text on a screen, our lazy brains need something to hang onto, as it were. Otherwise they can’t find their way back across again. If the text has been justified the lines all end at the same point and our brains start to melt. So, when writing on screen i.e. on a blog, one should never use the justify button. You probably all knew that but I will dine out on that little gem for months, not that I “dine out” much. You can get a full explanation on Mary Rose’s Blog.

Green Apple Punctuation
16"x16" Oil on Canvas Framed €450

View from Ross Castle

It's the scrake of dawn and I'm just stopping to post this before I head out the door to Killkenny to the Wordpress Ireland Camp. I'm trying to be quiet so as not to wake the house but anyone will know I don't do quiet very well, so I'm expecting company any minute. I'm going solo this time except for Odette (see the tale of Odette's shame here). It's her last chance to redeem herself. Hey it's only two hours away what can go wrong! If I end up in Cork again, it's all green bin for Odette!

This is a view from Ross Castle - ok yes I know you can read- Ross castle is just 10 minutes out of Killarney town and Gráinne and I went walking there before we headed home to Dublin last weekend.

Oil on gesso board
6x6 inch €195 framed

Pear drops

So I have some news today! From the end of the month, Killarney Art Gallery will be representing my work.

As you know I was invited to visit the gallery last weekend and I was really impressed with both the gallery and with Declan and Amelie who run it.

Here's to much happy colaboration.

Pear Drops
16x16 €350 on deep canvas

Ménage à trois

This weekend I've decided to attend the wordpress ireland camp. Basically a two conference in wordpress and in blogging generally.

I have an idea for a two day workshop of my own. Designed for artists, hobbyists and others who would like a basic website or blog but have neither the skills nor the cash to set it up. The idea is that at the end of the two days they would have a basic but working website and/or blog that they know how to use themselves.

So although I'm pretty comfortable around the whole blogging/website thing I thought a little up skilling might be a good idea, so off to Killkenny.

12x12inch on canvas
Not for sale

Rosey Pose

An experiment in painting flowers. My teacher and friend Kevin, was it seems determined for me to paint that carnation today! I took it out of the compostion a couple of times but it ended up right back in there.
10x8 inch on gesso bord

Also...

I forgot yesterday to show you some of the splendor of the kingdom of Kerry. This photo was taken at Ross Castle but really doesn't do the scene much justice I'm afraid. It felt a bit like where my sister lives in the okanagan valley in BC Canada.

Three pink ladies

Hi there, I'm back from Killarney and back at the easel. Gráinne and I had a blast, and we found Killarney waiting in the sunshine for us despite Odette's best efforts. Odette is our sat nav, she is at the remedial end of the spectrum and disgraced herself by sending us down the N8 towards Cork instead of the N7 towards Limerick. The fact that we didn't notice until Abbyleix will tell you how much craic there was in the car. (For my American friends that's Irish for fun and not an illegal substance). We did make it in just over 3.5hrs so no harm done.

We stayed with a good friend and native Killarney woman Martina who out did herself in the hospitality stakes at every turn.
The purpose of our trip was to visit a gallery in Killarney called the Killarney Art Gallery, do check it out, but more about that later. In the meantime today’s offering is larger than usual at 12x12inches.

She's not here!

If you're expecting a painting, there isn't one and if your expecting Róisín, she not here. Last seen heading south from the blarny stone! We are not amused. 

Lemonisnicket

You may or may not be glad to hear I'm coming to the end of the lemons. One can only paint lemons for so long before you start to see yellow spots on the back of your retinas.

So, I'm off to Killarney for the craic. Thank you all those kind friends who have warned me away from the blarney stone. Yes, I am aware that I need no extra help in that department and will take your concern as a compliment. I think!

Lemons in love

So it’s all Thelma and Louise! I’m off on a road trip to Killarney tomorrow morning, with my good friend Gráinne as wingman. Do you remember when a weekend away with the girls involved a week of prep beforehand; choosing your weekend wardrobe, a bit of shopping, some serious grooming, maybe even a hair appointment. Now a weekend away involves organizing work and family up to the nano second before you go and then it’s a mad rush to pack etc. before you fly out the door in a whirlwind having left your toothbrush on the counter and your hair sticking up at the back.


We leave early in the morning, coming back Sunday, but if we meet Brad Pitt along the way…… all I can say is don’t wait up!

Cold Shouldered

Have you heard about the wordpress camp? A two day conference in Killkenny for people who are interested in blogging or are already doing it. It's in Killkenny on March 5th and 6th and costs €50, for the two days. 

If you're interested in stuff like how to blog, how to market and develop your blog, how to write a better blog etc. then this looks like it might be good.

Intrigue

This is another larger painting, about 12 x 16 inches or 30x40cm - in new money as they say.

Heading out the door to class. If anyone is interested in oil painting classes click on art classes ireland. I belive Kevin has two places!

SOLD

Temple Bar

So, Temple Bar again. This time 12 inch square on canvas bord. It's a pretty iconic area of Dublin. This is essentially a larger version of a 6x6 inch painting I did a week or two ago. 

Snow White's Apple

When I saw this apple in the veggie section I immediately thought of Snow White. It was exactly like the one she ate. I was, of course, suspicious to say the least. It was sure to lead to no good, maybe even 100 years of sleep - I wish!

Anyway I bought it to paint and warned all not to touch it, but the painting of it has been harder that you'd think.

Anyway here it is - too look at only!

The Temple Bar

I'm flying! Friends have come for lunch and ther're already in the kitchen making the tea while I post this! Great hostess me!
This is another view of the Temple Bar pub in you guessed it Temple Bar in Dublin city.

RESERVED

Lemon Jar and sticky H's

Busy day, running about as usual. Thankfully it's still light enough to photograph (and it's 5.40pm!)

Pancakes are calling so I've hurried into the computer to post this painting to discover my desk has been once again commandeered by 10 year olds. Bits of paper everywhere, (but of course none in the printer) my diary coloured in and stardoll bookmarks put all over my desktop! And the H button on my keyboard is sticky with what looks suspiciously like jam. Does anyone else have to suffer this kind of thing!
Painting is 10 x 8 inch on gesso bord

Lemon impasto

Doesn't "Lemon impasto" sound a bit like an italian starter?

Anyway, I took some time to paint these two lemons before they met their fate in a glass of Jameson last night after dinner.  Perfect!

Loose lemons

Feelin’ all loose and jiggedy jig today and this is the result! I wouldn't be surprised if you see more lemons featuring in the next week or so as Pancake Tuesday is coming up and that is as close to a national holiday as it gets in my house.

When I was little my dad, who my sister and I lived with, was fanatical about Pancake Tuesday. We usually went to my Nana's house that day but one year for some reason we couldn't go. So after work he put us in the car and took us to a nearby hotel, marched us into the fancy restaurant and asked to speak to the Maitre D . "Ok he said we'll have pancakes all round with plenty of lemon and golden syrup" The Maitre D explained that this was a gourmet type of place and they didn’t have golden syrup etc. My Dad shifted himself a little and slowly explained that here were two little girls who otherwise would not get pancakes on Pancake Tuesday and, in the circumstances, could they not send the commis chef down to Dalkey village on his bike to get some golden syrup. We’d wait! And they did!

Sunshine on river walk

Have I mentioned that my life has been taken over by the building of a website? Long story short - it's been taking up a lot of my time. I did manage to get out for a walk last weekend to one of my favorite haunts, the River Walk up at Powerscourt. Just me and the dog and some beautiful winter sunshine. I can't tell you exactly where it is because then I'd have to kill you. - I like it peaceful and hate those bank holiday Sunday afternoons when the world and their mother decide to "take a walk".

6x6inch on gesso bord €130

Pearse Station

I’m battling the dreaded lurgy today, well if not the dreaded then some commoner gardener one that my kids have no doubt passed on to me with love. My plan is to start a larger version of the temple bar painting today. I really like all that warm nighttime reflections and color. It may take more than today to complete so I’ll post when it’s done and may keep up with the 8x6 ones in between – lurgy permitting!

This is the second painting from the same reference photo of Pearse Station in Dublin city centre. Taken by my cousin's partner, Finny who is a photography enthusiast with a particular passion for all things locomotive. My partner Rob has booked this one already for his office so I’m afraid it’s not for sale.

Slopes of Bray Head - Spring

This picture is a "spring" version of a snow scene that I painted during the snowy spell after Christmas. The location is at the bottom of Bray Head, Co.Wicklow with the spire of St. Paul's Christchurch visable in the distance. The hill behind is the scalp. It was one of those mornings we've had this week where it's really cold but ocassionally brightens up for a nano second. Spring me eye!

Temple Bar in the night

Havin' the craic eh. Makes me want to head into town, except for the fact that it's Monday morning and raining now!

By the way, I came across a great little blog for aspiring professional painters by Karen Harper called painting professionally. Lots of good stuff and more promised.

SOLD

Spredin' the Lurve with a Sunshine Award

Well now. I've been awarded a Sunshine Award. The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world.  I was nominated by a really lovely person called Susie Roux also an artist and blogger. You can visit her blog An Artist's Journey here.

So it's a little like passing the lurve. I get to nominate 12 other bloggers that I think deserve the award! And so the nominees are....

• Kevin McSherry
• Total Feckin Eejit
• So the think is...
• Carol Marine
• Julie Davis
• Edward B Gordon
• S P Goodman
• Lisa Moves on
• Laura Daniel
• Joyce Washor
• Qiang Huang
• Irish Craft Update

So if you've a minute or two check them out.


The rules for accepting the award are:
Put the logo on your blog or within your post,
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers,
Link the nominees within your post,
Let the nominees know they have received this award.
Link to the person from whom you received this award.

The kiwi hustle

It's all about connectivity - so they say! Well today I'm a little bit more connected to the community than I was yesterday. I've been a member of Signal Arts Community for some time now but now they have created a page on their website highlighting my work. Check it out here. Thanks Signal.

Purdy Series - 2

Apologies for the unorginal title. This is one of a series based around the painting that I use as a kind of logo and which people seem to really like. As always my cat Purdy is my muse.

If you're enjoying checking out paintings online there are loads of really great artists out there. I have linked some of my favorites from my blog one of which is Kevin McSherry, my friend and mentor.

To the Cliffs

I'm so frustrated I could weep. I'm so far into the process of building this website that I fear I might never be able to get back out. I could shoot whoever said wordpress was simple and straightforward and if anyone knows the owner of Natty wp themes please send me his address (of course it's a man - don't be stupid!) and I may just have to track him down and put lemon juice in his eyes and that's the family friendly version of what I'll actually do to him!

Framed Painting €130 Shipping €15 Worldwide
This painting is also available unframed
€85 shipping worldwide €10
Email for more info or to pay by paypal

Apple jam

So the thing is, I thought I knew something about websites. Enough to know not to build it from scratch and to have managed a few before - all be it with the help of 12 year old techies. But hey, how hard could it be? I am now about as confused as it is possible to be without legally being committed. And.... and facebook is trying to tip me over the edge! (it knows) I’ve been getting friend requests from people but when I accept, they disappear. Is that a kind of horrible joke? “I want to be your friend – ha ha only joking!” Off to class then possibly a long walk of a short cliff….

Framed Painting €140 Shipping €15 Worldwide
This painting is also available unframed
€90 shipping worldwide €10
Email me for more info

Curiosity

These colourful studies of Purdy seem to get lots of atention so I've decided to do a small series. I probably won't blog them all as I know how short the ol' attention span is, but this one is slightly larger than the others at 8" x6".

Framed Painting €140 Shipping €15 Worldwide
This painting is also available unframed
€90 shipping worldwide €10
Email for more info or to pay by paypal

Standing on the shoulders of giants

I did this one last night before tea, but this morning's offering was a definite wiper. I need some good music, so I'm blogging and creating a new playlist at the same time. Creative multitasker me!

Framed Painting €140 Shipping €15 Worldwide
This painting is also available unframed
€90 shipping worldwide €10
Email for more info or to pay by paypal

Deep Dargle

Exciting day today! An art dealer has shown interest in some of my paintings for two galleries down the country, a local gallery has invited me to enter a submission for a show next year, one painting sold this week and I got a commision for another. Hey hey.

Today has however been crazy, I brought my eldest to the orthodontist where he decided to "pop" that last baby tooth out. No numbing gel, no nothing, just pulled it out with his fingers before anyone could restle him to the ground.

We're home now and recovering with icecream!

Three's a magic number

When is a pear not a pair?
Oh come on... it's not that bad. Ok it is, but frankly what do you say about a still life of three pears? 
Anyway, I'm head, tooth and claws into searching for a website theme or template that fits with my ideas for the website. I'm going with the "shoot for the stars - hit the trees" theory of web design. I want something that looks fantastic, great clean design and clear intuitive navigation. I am happy to pay (with a small p) for the right theme but of course that's like the Holy Grail. I know I will have to make major compromises by the end but right now I'm still in the shoot for the stars end of thinking and hoping I will stumble onto the perfect design. I feel another two hours in front of the computer screen coming on. What joy!

Framed Painting €140 Shipping €15 Worldwide

This painting is also available unframed
€90 shipping worldwide €10
Email for more info or to pay by paypal

Orange Jar

I started work on an artitst's website today. When I say started, of course I mean this in the widest possible sense. I know once I get into it, it will be fine but already knowing how long it takes and having decided to use wordpress, which is new to me, I think I'd rather go back to bed.

I have used dreamweaver before but wordpress seems a lot easier and it's also free. I am looking into free themes at the moment for artists sites but I think I may have to go with something more general and then customise it. (more fear)

So, the thing is to start right? and I did that today!



Framed Painting €140 Shipping €15 Worldwide

This painting is also available unframed
€90 shipping worldwide €10
Email for more info or to pay by paypal