In a bit of a Jam!

Barter Heaven.

Yesterday I bartered some of my homemade rasberry jam for some gessoed boards - this one included. What started off as a bit of a joke on facebook ended up saving me a few euros. Now, I'm not going to brag about my jam (much) but he asked for more, so Happy days! Thanks Kevin and I hope you like the jam!

It got me thinking though, lots of people and in particular artists are turning to bartering as a way of navigating this cheery time we like to call "The Recession". I know of an artist who has bartered a painting for weekends away for the family and I've heard of artists bartering for anything from dental treatment, to website optimisation services. It's really not a bad idea and I guess it it just take a little creative thinking.

So if you happen to have a villa in the south of france.... talk to me.

Frozen Lake

I nearly lost a brace of kids to this lake so I have mixed feelings when I look at it myself. Snow coming down in buckets here. Plan to walk a mile to the shops then maybe paint again later! Hope you're all warm and safe!

Gerty

Happy New Year.

It's been a funny few days doing not a lot of much but although I haven't been posting I have been working. Three of the paintings that I've done since the last post are however not right yet. They are of two views of the Kerry mountains taken from some of Maria's photos. But I am struggling with getting the compostion right and the balance of colour. I will keep working at it and post them when I'm a little happier.

In the meantime let me introduce you to Gerty the goat and fourth the painting. Here she is in better light than the photo from last night!

Chuckie's in love

Truth be told I was dreading Christmas Day this year. We sadly lost my Nana in July and as she usually comes to my house for Christmas lunch it was always going to be a hard day. But it went off ok,

with the usual scramble to get mothers and mother in laws sitting down and the criss cross of dishes over the table. The days after have been filled with walks and too much telly, and chocolate. So not bad in all.

I did get to paint after all on St. Stephen's day and chose to revisit the two chucks from brook lodge. There's something Christmasy about that cadmium red background.

To Buy

Unframed painting €70      $99 USD  $109 CAD £65GBP
Shipping €10 worldwide


Framed Painting €105      $155 USD  $165 CAD  £95UK
Shipping €15 Worldwide

Cock of the hoop

This one is from a photo taken by my sister during a visit home this summer. We had lunch at a place called McCreddin Village at Brook lodge and this cheeky chap was strutting his stuff about the place. He even came into the pub at one stage.

Anyway I hope this will be the start of a kind of collaboration of sorts with my sister who is a very talented amateur photographer.

Posts may be a little on the scarce as Christmas is descending fast and (never mind Santa) the mother in law is coming! In my case this means much tiding to be done and some baking. This is alarming as my house looks like a giant has picked it up, shook it and placed it back down where it was.

To Buy
Unframed painting €70      $99 USD  $109 CAD  £65GBP
Shipping €10 worldwide



Framed Painting €105      $155 USD  $165 CAD  £95UK
Shipping €15 Worldwide

Lemon Tea

Regardless of the painting itself, I think the method of pre mixing in strings was a great sucess. I did end up straying away form the plan of clear colours made with as few ingredients as possible but hey lifes not all about rules eh? Much happier with the purples now - added a little sap green to the alizarin & ultramarine. I wanted viridian but had none left.

I'm trying to be cool and mature about this but truth be told I'm very excited. I have a new follower. That makes a global count of two! I'm sure she won't mind me mentioning her name. She's Diana Marshall another daily painter. Her animals and landscapes are fantastic. Check out her blog here

Squeezing the orange

So called because of course it's budget day today. Seems like they are  intent on squeezing every last drop from us. I spent a couple of hours listening to the budget schpeel on the radio as I painted this one. Can you tell?

I had trouble with the reflection of the oranges in the cup. Not sure exactly what the problem is. Suggestions/offers of help welcome!

SOLD

Purdy in the Pink

As I post I am defrosting my feet after standing outside supporting my daughter's school play hockey in 3 degree's from freezing. Thankfully I managed to finish this one before hand as I don't think my fingers could hold a brush for the rest of the evening!

To Buy

Unframed painting €70      $99 USD  $109 CAD  £65GBP
Shipping €10 worldwide




Framed Painting €105      $155 USD  $165 CAD  £95UK
Shipping €15 Worldwide