The laneway from our farm leads into the field depicted here, called the ‘Long Garden’. The shed is of a neighbouring farmer’s. I painted this in one sitting, positioned in the middle of the field surrounded by wheat. Painted on 5th August, 2002.
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Copy of Van Gogh’s Starry Night
Taking up the advice of the leader of the local painter’s group, I set about copying this famous picture in the first week of September, 2001. It was enjoyable to paint, especially the stars.
Farmyard on a Grey Summer’s Day
This painting was started in the summer of 1999 and painted on and off into summer 2001. I was interested in how the various buildings intersect with each other. I set up inside one of the farm sheds looking out on to the farmyard. A group of local artists came to the farm to paint shortly after I finished this. I showed the leader a few of my works up to that date, and he found my style quite lacklustre, citing this picture in particular. He advised to look at the Impressionists and more colourful art. This became the inspiration for the next painting, a copy of Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night.
Leafy Laneway View – Sold
This is the same location as my first canvas painting, painted a year after it was done. The view is in the reverse direction to that painting; we’re looking towards the farmyard where the sheds are, whereas in the first picture the view was where the gate is looking towards the landeway. Done in one sitting on 19th June, 2000, just before my last Leaving Cert exam. Sold.
Brother’s Cello
An early work. My brother learned to play the cello when he was younger. I liked the shade of brown on the surface of the instrument. Painted in November 2000.
Michael Schumacher
A ‘thank you’ present for my brother for sitting so long for his portrait. I remember the reference photo in a magazine being tiny so the likeness is a bit off.
Brother’s Portrait
An early attempt at a portrait. It was difficult to make, I had no experience of painting others at the time. Dan sat for hours. He was 11 at the time. Painted in late October, 2000.
Candlelit Self-Portrait
It’s time to go CRAZY! I was 18 and we had a power cut. Some of my most interesting paintings have their sources in unplanned spontaneous moments. So taking advantage of the situation, I set up a spooky scene. Kinda like Munch’s Scream painting. Painted over two nights on 27th and 28th October, 2000
Knockadoon Peninsula
In the previous post, I mentioned that I lived near the sea and near two peninsulas that are on opposite sides of a bay. This is one of them, to the east of where I live. I had just started college when I painted this, one Saturday in October, 2000. I set up my materials on the edge of the field outside my house and painted away in the cool morning air. Little ‘money’ spiders were crawling all over me in the dew. By the early afternoon I was finished. I’ve such a clear memory of painting this, even though it’s years ago.
Ballycotton Islands and Pier
I really am blessed where I live. I live a mere 100 metres or so from a beach in East Cork Ireland. Garryvoe beach is a popular seaside destination for Cork people. Two peninsulas of land lie to the east and southwest of the beach. Directly south of the beach are two islands, one with a lighthouse on top. They are popular subjects for painting. This painting was an early attempt at depicting them. I smile when I see the foamy waves; they are so naive compared to the way I do seascapes now!
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