May The Sun Shine Warm Upon Your Face, or Monet's Great Idea

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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It dawned on me that one of Monet's great practical ideas was to paint familiar places, over and over again. Every thing is seen in a new light. The season, or weather may be different, as well as time of day. Over the years, our cumulative experience of being at that place enables us to see things that we didn't notice before, and our skill set has developed further as well.  This house on Valentia Island, Ireland - with it's thatched roof, has been painted many times, by many artists.  Each time I've painted it, the familiar brings comfort, yet there is always something new about it to me. And I find that's a wonderful spot to be in. So to any one who feels like "I've already painted that place"....don't be so quick to want to leave...what are you missing today?...time for another look!   

Lacey Windows Irish Cottage Irish Landscape Oil

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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One of my favorite views is right here- my friend's cottage in Ireland. There are always plants, herbs,  flowers and vines in the garden of her stone cottage.  Lace at the windows, and a brilliant blue door graced the front, a very welcoming place!

Take Me Home, Kerry Roads - sold

6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board (Raymar)


"Green, in the wizard arms
Of the foam-bearded Atlantic,
An isle of old enchantment,
A melancholy isle,
Enchanted and dreaming lies...."
- John Todhunter


Have you ever been to a new place and not felt at all like a stranger? Like you've been there before (or some part of you has)? Over the last five years of traveling over to Ireland, I've felt so very welcome, perfectly at home, and I think of my travels almost everyday that I am actually back home. I'm enjoying going through all my photos & reference materials for these new paintings I'm working on.

Mountain Road From Portmagee to St. Finian's Bay

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
- Irish Blessing


16"x20" oil on canvas mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

On each visit to Ireland - we always go across the channel from Valentia Island to Portmagee, then take the road up and over the mountain around to St. Finian's Bay. It's a wonderful place to go paint...and delightfully close to the "Skelligs Chocolate Factory"! I don't recall a day when I've been down that road when there isn't fog at the top.... for at least part of the day. When the fog settles it lends a dramatic mood to the scenery. When the weather blows through and the clouds lift, it is just another kind of beautiful! These 2 cottages are settled into the mountainside and the road is winding and SOOOOO narrow! Down below are crashing waves of the bay! Up and down the mountainsides are every shade of green you could ever imagine...and then some. For purchase information, click here.