Down by the Sea Near St. Finian's Bay, Ireland

12"x16" oil on linen mounted on board (Raymar)

Sea Magic

O, bitter sea
Of green froth spume,
Brimming, breaking, spilling,
Swirling, foaming, roaring,
Yet in my soul
I love you!
Now, calm sea,
Kissing, waving, lapping,
Turning and washing
Blue pebbles
On the shore,
Still I love you more.

Why do my thoughts
Mingle with
The curling, waving weave
Of your magic spell
That makes me part of you?
- Michael Kirby (from "Skelligs Sunset")

As you leave Portmagee & go south along the coast past St. Finian's bay, there is an old white cottage on the hillside that slopes down to the sea. It seems that every time I've traveled this way the hillside is partially shrouded in a fine silvery mist. This painting is of an area not too far from where Michael Kirby is from in Ballinskelligs. Mr. Kirby was a fisherman, sailor, writer, poet and painter. I came across two of his books while in Portmagee on one of my last visits to Ireland. The stories and poems are so lyrical and expressive. When I read through these books (over & over again) they bring back such a visual image of this place that I've come to know a little bit about. I realize I've just uncovered the surface- a place truly takes a life-time to know well! The beauty of this place just calls to me- and will NOT let go!

This painting is available from my Daily Painters Gallery.