Midwinter View of Garryvoe

Midwinter View of Garryvoe

In late December, 2009 a severe cold stretch of weather began that continued into early 2010. This painting records that time. Fortunately, because where I live is so close to the sea we were spared the worst of the snow and ice as can be seen from the fields, where muted greys and browns can be seen rather than a continuous blanket of white. This is my third painting in my series of painting the same view over four seasons.

Cloyne Round Tower – Sold

Cloyne Round Tower

Painted this in two and a half weeks in December 2009. Used artistic licence in the clouds and the tower itself. The clouds are coloured more purple than reality, while the shaded stones are green; I thought they’d go nicely with the sky. Cloyne is a nearby village, with a history stretching back to the 6th century. Sold.

Autumnal View of Garryvoe

Autumnal View Of Garryvoe Watermark

I hadn’t painted for 6 months before I started this. I was determined to make a highly detailed painting as I was a little disappointed with the previous painting’s foreground. Based on a reference photo; the day I took it I wasn’t in the area, I was down by the prom walk in Garryvoe and noticed bales in the field on the higher ground. When I got there I found that they were in every field towards the sea. So I spent the next 6 months painting. The last 3 were spent on the foreground, doing those stubbles trying to depict the sunlight reflecting off of them. No compromise!

Abbey at Kenyon Street, Nenagh

Abbey at Kenyon Street, Nenagh

I was working on an archaeological dig not far from the Tipperary town of Nenagh when I painted this. I was returning to my rented house from home the Sunday I started this. I’d forgotten my blue paints. I was annoyed for a while, thinking I’d have to wait another week before I’d start. Then I had the idea of doing the painting without blue and, using the colours I had, came up with an unusual colour scheme. Every day after work, I’d spend a few hours at it in the evening. I was very pleased with the result.

Two Moonlit Bales

Two Moonlit Bales

This is the only time I’ve done a painting based on another one of my paintings. Following on from the painting of the two bales I did at night. I decided to do something more detailed. I’m not sure if it’s a better painting than the one I did in the open air. Certainly the experience of painting this wasn’t worth remembering!

Two Bales in the Moonlight

Two Bales in the Moonlight

On a Saturday night, 3rd March, 2007, I did a painting under a full moon outside in the field around my home. It was one of those exceptional painting experiences. The air was cold and damp so the paint didn’t dry quickly like acrylics normally do. So a streaky effect was the result. I spent over an hour at it. For my trouble I had a rotten cold the following week!