Carrick-on-Shannon

 Carrick-on Shannon is the county town of Co. Leitrim.  It has an excellent art gallery, The Dock, currently showing the work of Sean Lynch, included in the show is Latoon, a  video about the preservation of a whitethorn bush from the construction of the M18 motorway in Clare. An interesting story of the power of folklore in our modern times. The gallery is well worth a visit and it has an excellent gift shop featuring the best of local craft.

Carrick is a charming town with lots to see, It has the smallest chapel in Ireland.The Costello Memorial Chapel,  It was built by a heart-broken husband in memory of his wife, so that they could rest together in death. There are lots of  interesting buildings such as the Old Courthouse, and it is a perfect starting point for a cruise on the river Shannon.

Eye Candy

The Dublin City Soul Festival is on this weekend. This year they have a visual art section titled "Eye Candy" I along with many artists have donated an art piece to raise funds for the Musical Youth Foundation. You can see it at the 

The exhibition will run for the duration of the festival, 26th-29th of May, so go along and have a look at all the wonderful creations. All the work on display is for sale by silent auction, simply register your interest with a member of the team at Exchange and at the end of the festival the winning bidders will be contacted to arrange delivery.

Winner of Giveaway

It is my birthday today so I am off to celebrate.
 Congratulations to Helmi on being drawn out of the hat for my giveaway, 

so if you get in touch with your address I will get them in the post to you.

The Bog

I love this time of year, when the turf cutting and saving is underway. It is as if the ground erupts into ripples, a corduroy textures landscape. Then as the "saving" progresses and the turf is "footed" it resembles little sculptures, a knot work of pattern upon the surface. A birds eye view would resemble a giant aran sweater laid out upon the land.

                                       

   And the bog-cotton is glorious, so delicate and yet sturdy

Busy Week

You may think I am busy because of all the V.I.P's. visiting Ireland this month. 

 Queen Elizabeth II arrived yesterday. 

Today the British P.M. and next week President Obama !

But no, I have been busy preparing for my exhibition which opens in a couple of weeks, 

here is a sneak preview for those of you that won't be able to make it. 

                                             

  I don't have a title for the above painting,

Any suggestions?

If you can't get to my exhibition you better have a good excuse 

e.g. 

Taking tea with Royalty, maybe! 

Illustration Friday, Beginner

I think I will always be a beginner where dancing is concerned, I made this Collage after taking some dance classes, I was constantly looking down at my feet to make sure I did not step on my partners toes!

Connemara

It has been a while since I treated you to some photographs of Connemara.

Glendalough, Recess.

Boat House, Lough Inagh

Looking towards Maam Cross

Near Maam Cross

Free Giveaway.

To say Thank You

for dropping in on me here, 

one lucky follower will be randomly selected

on May 27th  

and will get a gift of 6 of my handmade cards.

Illustration Friday, Lesson

My favorite lesson in school was "transcription" where one did endless rows of joined up hand-writing on those beautiful blue and red lined copy books, and I am old enough to have used nibs and ink, thus discovering a love for calligraphy which has stayed with me and it was my first realization that I could make art.

                                            Collage with silk, paper, water colour and sewing.

Recycled Baths

As the old saying goes "Necessity is the Mother of invention" so I guess that is how these old baths end up being used as water troughs for cattle, They are sturdy, almost indestructible, hold loads and fill with rain water which we have a plenty supply of.  I always think they look odd, cattle with en suite facilities!. Maybe this is why I also like to depict them in my paintings.

This one was cast iron with claw feet, a collectors item 

but it was in a field near Spanish Point Co.Clare.

On my easel this week

This is the piece I showed you in my last painting post, 

I have finished it at last.