Saturday, February 27, 2010

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. 

Friday, February 26, 2010

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!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

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

Saturday, February 20, 2010

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. 

Friday, February 19, 2010

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!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

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

Monday, February 15, 2010

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!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

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!




Thursday, February 11, 2010

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

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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!

Monday, February 8, 2010

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

Saturday, February 6, 2010

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....



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.

Friday, February 5, 2010

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.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

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.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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