After I signed off at the end of last year, I became quite busy, unexpectedly so, every year I take part in Incognito here in Ireland which is to help fund the Jack and Jill foundation for families with sick children. For the past four years I have taken part.
The concept of incognito is simple yet impactful: offer original postcard-sized artworks by both emerging and internationally acclaimed artists, all for a fixed price of €70.
For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to create art in miniature form. Most years it has be just three paintings per artist and you the artist decide the theme, the style but the art must fit onto the postcard that they send you. This year we had a massive storm that cut parts of the island off from the rest, some people had no electricty, heating etc. It was then offered to those who could to add a fourth painting into the mix.
For the first year I used a combination of mediums that I enjoyed using. The frog was done with soft pastels, the holly with watercolour and the dog coloured pencils.
Since completing University, this had been my first time putting my art out there, on a personal level that was huge and gave me the boost to follow my dreams. They were all bought which you do find out about a month later. I do not know who bought them, but I do hope they bring pleasure to the owners.
The following year, I went with a theme of sorts, I drew animals and used Pen & Ink.
By using Pen & Ink, I felt that with the size of the canvas I was able to create some movement and character to my paintings. Something wonderful and unexpected happened my giraffe became part of the logo for the Jack and Jill Foundation. I was so chuffed, never expected it at all, and I think that's what makes it more special.
This year I went with a nautical theme of sorts!
I used three mediums in this small collection, the first painting was done with watercolour, and only using one colour to achieve a tonal landscape, I only used Paynes grey which gave the effect I was going for. The second image is of a rock in the sea off the coast of France, the photo was taken as the sun was setting allowing lovely shadows to appear. I very rarely paint seascapes, so this one gave me confidence to tackle the fourth painting. But moving onto the third another subject that I'm not great at drawing boats, the perspective, the angles, headaches consume me, hahaha!
But after a lot of sketching and practice in my sketchbook I found what worked and used these to go for my boat sitting in dry dock as the tide had gone out. I used soft pastels for this boat a combination of soft pastel pencils and pastel sticks for the background. My final painting was done using gouache. For me, gouache is like a combination of watercolour and acrylics but more forgiving than both. All you have to remember is to allow each layer to dry before you apply the following layer. Again, I have practiced using gouache in my sketchbook over and over to make sure I did not t over water the colours. It takes practice but one you achieve that technique of using it you will be hooked.
Following on from February, I felt that I needed to expand my collection of art, painting animals is wonderful but there is so much more of the world out there that I want like many artists to capture it. This year marked my 20 years living here in county Carlow, with the milestone I wanted to celebrate it to show my own personal gratitude to the people living here. I began a series of paintings captuing which I consider the iconic places here in our small town. I used both watercolour, pen and ink and soft pastels. These landmarks are quite old and are steeped in history, the architecture one would see in many part of ireland over the last hundred years. Interestingly enough, both of these buildings were built between 1826 the courthouse and the Station 1848. With the lack of pollution here in this country town they have both look very good and have been looked after by the community.
The Court House - painted in watercolour with pen and ink
Bagenalstown Train Station - watercolour with pen and ink
Rudkins Mill with the Barrow River in the foreground.
Rudkins mill was built in the 1680's, this mill began the long history of milling industry in the small country town of Bagenalstown until its decline in the mid 20th century .
My final painting for my celebration of being an artist in Bagenalstown is my view of Mount Lenister from my mother's house where I spent my years of teenage life looking at. Even today, a rather cloudy day as I look out my window I can see mount Lenister. For me, the artist, child and adult this view is home. I took the photo of Mount Lenister with the evening sun sweeping across the mountain range into the fields below, The many colours in each rock and the autumnal colours of the trees beginning to turn. I used soft pastels to paint this painting.
In May, there was a call out for local artist for an Art Gallery in Carlow town for the upcoming art festival. I have loved going to this gallery and wandering around at so many great artists, crafters, potters and jewellery makers all based here in Carlow. Like many artist "You not only second guess yourself but you also dont think you are good enough"! Thankfully the owner, after seeing my portfolio of work asked if I would like to become a member, I jumped. "Yes, Yes"! I was so excited but knew I need one more piece of art to submit.
My Highland Cow, painted with soft pastels was my last painting. I wanted to draw him with wild shaggy unruly hair, giving the impression of the wind moving his thick hair as he seems unbothered by the breeze.
Although this painting brought me up to the end of June, you may wonder what else I've been up to, well, my mind needed a little break, and what I do for this is to sew, do something completely different. For the month of July, I came up with a design for a quilt. Not just a plain quilt, Its me, I do nothing by halves, I wanted to have raised elements in my quilt and appliques some are flat and some are stuffed. For two and half months I have been sewing, stuffing and learning new techniques. I use a sewing machine for all the sewing. Now that I am nearing the ending of my quilt, I am eager to get painting again. I feel that taking a short breaking is great for the soul and creativity.
When the quilt is completed I will post a picture here, possibly a week of so!
Until next time, stay safe, be creative!
My apologies to those who are following my blogs, as the title states last month was very busy. The reason for this hectic life of an artist is that I was working on 3 subjects. Every other year I design and paint my Christmas cards, truth be told its normally December before I got around to them in the past, burning the candle at both ends. This year I was good, ahead for once!
For many years I have looked at so many artists online and never really had the confidence to put my quick sketches out there online.
This picture I took with my phone, as I was taking part in a plein air competition the weekend of August. A few weeks before, I went to the area the where the plein air, was being held and I took a lot of photos to use a preliminary sketches at home.
When I take photos on my phone or camera, I will always convert them to black and white as this helps me see where the tonal values. In other words, where are the darkest areas, mid-tones and lightest tonal areas.
Create Your Own Website With Webador