Sun Over The Skelligs and Montbresia, Summer Skelligs View (Ireland)

8"x10" oil on linen/panel

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This one was painted plein air, from our host, Barbara Mastaglio's back garden. There's a fabulous view of the skelligs from there (among other things!).  The morning was bright yet quite windy for this demo, with the wind picking up gradually as I neared a finish.  Wind - for the plein air painter can be as difficult as rain (perhaps more so).  But painting out in the elements truly gives you an understanding of the colors you are seeing, and the sensations of the day.  That's the only way you can transmit these to an indoor studio painting.  

The second one of this view, is painted from a photo, during one of our indoor demo's from a photo on a very rainy day.  The other element in this painting that wasn't in bloom at the time we were painting were the 'montbresia' as they are called in Ireland (known as crocosmia here in the states). They are brilliant and grow wild in the hedges over there. They were just beginning to open when we were there. They are probably in full bloom right about now! And luckily, mine were still in bloom when I returned home.

"Montbresia, Summer Skelligs View"

8"x10" oil on linen/panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here.   

 

Join us in Ireland 2015- Ballycarbery Castle-SOLD!

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

This painting is sold, but there are others available, here.

This one was one of the last chances we had to paint at the end of a terrific week in Ireland, and the day was as lovely as could be. I've painted this place in all kinds of weather, each lending its own interest...but the brilliant sun & large rolling cumulus clouds really illuminated the ancient ruin, and the vegetation covered walls. 

Ahh, Ireland - could you get any more beautiful? Each time I've gone over to visit, I've been charmed by the place....leading me to return, again and again.  Everyone is so friendly. Even the puffins wave hello!

Your home away from home is the lovely Shealane Country House B&B on Valentia Island, just across the bridge from the fishing village of Portmagee. 

 Traffic jams are rare in this area, and in this case was caused by a couple of "lost lambs". 

Stories to amaze you....

and amuse you....

and leave you pondering...."did the fairies really do that?"

Charming, sweet gardens surrounding cottages in Adare,

and thrilling vistas on Skellig Michael...

the sun stays out late during the Irish summer....

Rowers are getting their evening practice in around 10pm in the Portmagee channel. 

Botanical beauties of white fuchsia look like falling stars!

A bevy of bovine beauties graze the fields along the road to Bray Head.  Sweeping vistas in all directions, just along the Atlantic Ocean.

Best looking planes out there...just seeing that shamrock makes me smile! You know I'm already thinking about the next time I return to this wonderful place!

 

Think about joining us next summer! Then start planning- we'd love to have you come along and paint with us! 

Mark your calendars for June 28th - July 5th 2015! Follow "Art on the Ring of Kerry" on Facebook for up-to-date information. And their web-site as well- you'll want to reserve your spot!

Tied Up At The Moment (Fishing Boat, Portmagee, Ireland)

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"There are two types of fisherman - those who fish for sport and those who fish for fish." ~Author Unknown


For more info or to purchase this painting, please email me; roxannesteed@gmail.com

A Llittle Elbow Room; Portmagee Summer Sunset

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

"May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live."
- Irish blessing


Still on the armchair travels to Ireland this week! A little elbow room is the expanse of space I feel standing on Valentia Island looking over to Portmagee. Wild skies, and wilder cliffs, long expanses of green, and this view during the late sunsets of summer is so wonderful, a continual color-show until the sun finally sets (realllllly late by the way!). I also took a 'tongue in cheek' elbow room with stepping up to a much bigger palette knife- a trowel actually, and used it in a more painterly fashion - painting with the 'whole arm' rather than just the wrist. What freedom- a more expressive paint handling (reminding me of how Dan McCaw moves paint with a big brush).

Will try to re-photograph this one tomorrow, I find the larger ones difficult to get accurate color.

A Little Elbow Room; Portmagee Summer Sunset

About This Painting:
Media: oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard
Size: 16 in X 12 in (40.6 cm X 30.5 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Repairs At The Pier, Portmagee, Ireland

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it."
~Irish Blessing


This painting is worked in both brush and knife. The pier there in Portmagee is such a busy place, always a hub of action. It's exciting with all the colorful boats coming and going, and the various work being done.

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Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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Far End of Pormagee, Looking Back

6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel


"May God grant you many years to live,
For sure He must be knowing
The earth has angels all too few
And heaven is overflowing."
- Irish Blessing

Being a bit of an arm-chair traveler today. I'm lamenting the fact that this is the first summer in five years that I was not able to go over to Ireland. But I do think about it all the time! So I had a bit of fun reminiscing through my old photos and playing some Liz Carroll cd's, planning what else I'll be painting this week. I'd like to fit in some time for a larger one this week as well!

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Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Edge of the Cliff View to Skelligs, Ireland

9"x12" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

On the same day that I painted out at the cliffside ruin over on Reencaheragh (see entry of June 24th), we finished in time for a picnic lunch. After we gathered our belongings we left them to wander further out to the cliff edge. It was an open meadow on a spit of land that rose up to a point. As the elevation got a bit higher & closer to the ocean, the grass is like a short stubby alpine type grass & the prettiest pinky-purple wildflowers bobbed their heads in the stiff breeze. That area is so wind-whipped. I saw this same area during my visit in March(although I was quite a safe distance away in a protected area) and it is over-washed by ocean spray of fierce winter storms. As one side near the point drops down to the Portmagee channel, a great view of the skelligs comes before you. It is breath-taking. Looking down into the channel around the rocky islands, one can see where fishermen have set their lobster pots. Two sheep in that last meadow were watching our every move! I knew I would have reference material for many more paintings from this beautiful piece of land.

For purchase information, click here.