Thursday, March 27, 2008

View From Reencaheragh to Portmagee, Ireland - sold



11"x14" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

One afternoon on my recent visit to Ireland, we spent the afternoon on the beach at Reencaheragh. It's rather rocky, jagged pieces in some areas, and along the shore, are rounded stones of various sizes, smoothed by the sea. Our quest that day was to search for beach glass. Yes, we were successful at finding blue, green, brown, and white sea glass of various sizes. We also filled our pockets with little shells and stones of various types. It's a wonder there are any stones left in Ireland with all the ones the Americans bring back in their pockets! But it's a small connection to hold in your hand...and think about the time you get to return! The beach area of Reencaheragh is a cresent shape just at the end of the village of Portmagee.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Derrynane View to the Sea, with Cows; Ireland



20"x20"x1.5" oil on gallery wrap canvas, no need to frame!

This is one of my favorite views of my recent trip to Ireland. As we approached Derrynane, the land began to slope down to the sea. Rocky islands dotted the harbor and cows grazed along the mountainside. This area of the "ring of Kerry" has some really amazing views!

Contact me if you are interested in this painting.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Flat of Pansies-Hooray for Spring! sold



8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

If you are among those who have Spring well under way, count yourself lucky and blessed. It's still chilly and brown & gray all around up here in CT (tough break for a southern transplant)....but there are signs of spring coming. Like flowers for sale! Now whether I can plant them without them freezing off is another story! But I can certainly buy them for a cheerful reminder that the real-deal is not too far off! YIPPEE!!!!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Irish Sunbathing, North Atlantic Cow



5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite

Learn patience, slow down, watch a cow enjoy life. That seemed to be the theme of several days during my last visit to Ireland. This gal is another one in that grouping in Derrynane, part of our drive along the "ring of Kerry". She seemed to let me know, "Catch some sunshine where ever you can, girl!" And yes, she did bring a smile to my face as she lounged on her grassy hillside over looking the sea.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Queen of the Hill, Derrynane, Ireland - sold



7"x5" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

Driving along the "ring of Kerry", we came upon the hillside looking down into Derrynane and the sea beyond. So many cows grazing along the hillsides, this one just crested a hill calling to her buddies, "This is all mine!"hmm, bossy diva cow!

For those of you who haven't received their daily "Cheer Factor" email (due to a technical glitch I haven't figured out yet) here's the quote from today's mail, "When a cow laughs, does milk come out her nose?" author unknown

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

White Kerry Cow, Valentia Island, Ireland - sold



8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

This cow lives in the same pasture as those ponies I painted (see March 4th entry), next pasture over from my friend Barbara's pasture. This cow is one big beefy Bessie! Back in the states I used to wonder if that Kerry Gold Butter had food coloring in it...but no - it really is a wonderful yellow color, a bit deeper than the other butter I buy. The grass they eat is such a lush green...Ahh, to just sit and watch a cow eat grass, listen to the wind, feel your heart rate drop....what a happy place.

Monday, March 17, 2008

On to Nelligan's, Castleisland, Ireland - sold



7" x 5" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

On the first day of our trip we arrive in Shannon & drive to Valentia, a three hour trip....broken up by necessary stops. The first is in the town of Castleisland, to visit Nelligan's - where the best donuts & a hot pot of tea was waiting for us! The air is chilly, and the sun takes a while to wake up during winter, that far north. My friend Barbara & I got the grins over "stalking handsome old guys" to photograph & paint later! My daughters call these caps "friend-maker" caps....you will always strike up a conversation while wearing one! Hmm, the 'old-guys' are on to something!

"The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets." - Christopher Morley

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Derrynane Overlook, Ring of Kerry, Ireland - sold



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

During my recent visit to Ireland we took a drive along the "Ring of Kerry". It was sunny for a good bit of that day. Driving from Valentia we stopped in Derrynane (a National Park) - along the mountainside cows were grazing peacefully. Our visit in March was so different from going in the summer. The weather is great in June or July of course, but the roads are crowded! This time we could be as leisurely as the cows down the hillside! I was chatting with some recent transplants (well, 8 years now) about how intensely blue the water is in winter! Almost a Caribbean color? It looks so clean, from up high it appears that you could see the bottom! But it is early spring (late winter)- the water is really cold no matter how beautiful it looks!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Punt at Reencaheragh - sold




6"x8 oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

Wednesday we were at the beach at Reencaheragh....two of these punts were on blocks waiting for their owners. I do love brightly colored, old boats! This morning we were up early to take a day trip over to Killarney, so we've been gone all day. When we got home this evening we were in the middle of another storm, gale winds & rain. So the broadband internet service was out for a while. I've been listening for the winds to die down & catching this moment to load today's painting. The peat fire is burning in the fireplace, once I finish the computer stuff, I'm going to curl up and read!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Living on the Edge - sold



6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

Yesterday on our way home from Reencahargue I saw these sheep grazing ever closer to the edge. Once had ambled out onto a tiny ledge. I asked my friend how it didn't just get blown into the sea. She told me - sometimes they do, and the farmer is out a few sheep!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Con O'Shea's Ponies - sold



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

These are the ponies in our neighbors pasture! I couldn't resist the view! Sunday morning I put on the coffee, went outside while it was brewing & went to pat the ponies, talk to them, photograph them to paint (during yesterday's gale storm).

Monday, March 3, 2008

Stone Bridge Near Staigue Fort, Ireland - sold





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

We took a drive to Sneem yesterday, passing by the Staigue Fort in Castlecove. This terrain is so incredible, this old stone bridge was a memorable spot for my friend on previous visit...a ram had chased her son back to the car! I did think this bridge reminded me of the story of "Billy Goats Gruff"!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Rush Hour, Valentia - sold




6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

Our first full day on Valentia was rainy & SO WINDY (40mph), pretty much impossible to paint outside, so my friend showed me some of her favorite places to go. In the evening we went home, started a peat fire in the fireplace & roasted a chicken & potatoes. Stayed in and painted all evening. These cows are a familiar scene around here.