This is one of my first paintings using watercolour. I don't know how long ago it was painted.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Heaven's Paradise
This is one of my first paintings using watercolour. I don't know how long ago it was painted.
Gideon & Bess
Our art group were staying in a B & B just outside Waterford town. It was really nice! These horses were in a field just outside the B & B. While we were painting indoors, one of the horses used to put his head right up against the window, and look in at us. The female at the back was Bess, and male of course was Gideon. This was my first attempt to paint horses, outdoors. They kept moving every few minutes, so you have to do a very quick outline first, and then the rest with imagination. The owner of the B & B loved this painting, he also owned the horses.
The Journey
I've had various jobs over the years, and between those jobs studied Graphic Design, and Office Administration. The art class that I'm in was always something I enjoyed getting up for on a Saturday morning, "Although there were times when I didn't want to get up after having a full week".
I'm now doing voluntary work in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Rochestown Avenue, Dunlaoghaire. I help out in the Internet Cafe, helping patients with computers, and playing chess. A lady I met through Fás suggested that I would use my art in employment. I wasn't sure at first, because teaching art and doing it yourself are very different. I went to a local nursing home and did a demonstration on watercolour. The people there were interested and asked me would I teach them. Sometimes there were six people at the table. They always loved their arts and crafts. Unfortunately I'm no longer there. Our art class completed a Fetac level 4 certificate last year, we are recognised through the Dunlaoghaire VEC. This year we are going to be working on level 5. It possible to work up to level 10 or 11 which gives the opportunity to become a teacher.
I'm now doing voluntary work in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Rochestown Avenue, Dunlaoghaire. I help out in the Internet Cafe, helping patients with computers, and playing chess. A lady I met through Fás suggested that I would use my art in employment. I wasn't sure at first, because teaching art and doing it yourself are very different. I went to a local nursing home and did a demonstration on watercolour. The people there were interested and asked me would I teach them. Sometimes there were six people at the table. They always loved their arts and crafts. Unfortunately I'm no longer there. Our art class completed a Fetac level 4 certificate last year, we are recognised through the Dunlaoghaire VEC. This year we are going to be working on level 5. It possible to work up to level 10 or 11 which gives the opportunity to become a teacher.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Inspirations
My love for Irish landscapes came from my father who is a great lover of walking and climbing mountains, and always brought us out walking the countryside. Also when we were kids our parents took us away travelling to different parts of the country, and abroad. I started using watercolours when my dad's brother Damian was painting with that medium one day, and I liked the style of it. It is the most difficult medium to use because it doesn't give any leeway.
My Grandparents had a chalet just outside Gorey, County Wexford. We spent a lot of time on our summer holidays there. We also went to Achill Island as children. We were always outdoors. I loved the magical scenery in Achill, no matter what time of year we went. I started a few years ago to do a painting of Keem Bay, Achill Island, but a heavy shower came out of the blue, and ran the watercolour paints off the page! I've also painted in Kinvara, County Clare, and have one or two paintings from there. Most of the West coast of Ireland has incredible views. There is such a contrast of light and dark, which makes a watercolour painting stand out. Some of the paintings I have are copied from a photograph.
"It's amazing when your painting outdoors how often the colouring, and lighting changes". When I'm out with my parents in the car, or walking, I would often look at the ocean, sky, and plants, to see the different colours. Monet is my favourite artist because of his use of colour.
"With watercolour, you have to keep mixing the different colours, and water to get different effects. Acrylic paint lets you away with a lot more, because if you make a mistake, the paint will dry off, and you can paint over it. With watercolour you can't paint light over dark, and if you make a mistake, you can't fix it. It is possible to mix acrylic and watercolour together, because they are both water based, and sometimes give a nice effect. Plenty of times it hasn't worked out for me doing a painting, and I would have to start again".
My Grandparents had a chalet just outside Gorey, County Wexford. We spent a lot of time on our summer holidays there. We also went to Achill Island as children. We were always outdoors. I loved the magical scenery in Achill, no matter what time of year we went. I started a few years ago to do a painting of Keem Bay, Achill Island, but a heavy shower came out of the blue, and ran the watercolour paints off the page! I've also painted in Kinvara, County Clare, and have one or two paintings from there. Most of the West coast of Ireland has incredible views. There is such a contrast of light and dark, which makes a watercolour painting stand out. Some of the paintings I have are copied from a photograph.
"It's amazing when your painting outdoors how often the colouring, and lighting changes". When I'm out with my parents in the car, or walking, I would often look at the ocean, sky, and plants, to see the different colours. Monet is my favourite artist because of his use of colour.
"With watercolour, you have to keep mixing the different colours, and water to get different effects. Acrylic paint lets you away with a lot more, because if you make a mistake, the paint will dry off, and you can paint over it. With watercolour you can't paint light over dark, and if you make a mistake, you can't fix it. It is possible to mix acrylic and watercolour together, because they are both water based, and sometimes give a nice effect. Plenty of times it hasn't worked out for me doing a painting, and I would have to start again".
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Mount Usher Gardens Wicklow
This one of the many places that I visited with my art group on the painting holiday, and with family members. it is about 20 minutes from Ashford village County Wicklow.
Amazing gardens, with different landscapes. The best time to go is when the flowers are in full bloom in the summer. There a few shops, and restaurant. Fabulous food! Great to sit out in the sun in the summer time too!
Dunlaoghaire East Pier
Dunlaoghaire east Pier is in the south of Dublin. It is one of my favourite places to take a stroll. It is a bit less than a mile. Dunlaoghaire used to be known as kingston town. There's also the West Pier on the opposite side. The Dublin Doc lands was the first harbour where the ships came in originally.
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