These two were down at the local harbour and seem to mostly hang out with a large group of swans. One is a Canadian goose and the other a more commoner gardener goose.

Maggie’s swan dance

I took some photos of the swans and geese a little while back which I used as a reference today but I was down at the harbour the other evening walking with a friend and my dog Maggie. Maggie is very well behaved and although she would come back when I call her, I always put her on the lead when we are near the harbour. (see I’m a responsible person really!)  However… the other night I stopped at my car to get something and when my friend called her she sauntered off down to the water where the swans were. Then she taught “hey these guys look like fun”.

Maggie began sweeping runs up the beach raising the swans before her. 10 minutes later after much calling to come back (clearly not gona do that), me shouting in a cross voice (complete waste of time), and much embarrassment (that woman can’t control her dog), she finally came back and sat for me. At which point a lady thought it would be helpful to shout down the beach at me to “put that hound on a lead” (ya think!). Anyway the swans survived and I high tailed it (sorry) out of there with my head down muttering apologies as I went.

Henrietta and Jemima. 8×8 inch oil on gesso

If you’re reading this in Ireland enjoy the bank holiday. If not,  enjoy the weekend.

This little painting is all about trying to capture distance and the effect that mist or haze has on light. I will keep at it as I’m not there yet.

heading back to town – 7×4 inches on gesso bord

Welcome to all the newbies!

There’s been a lot of new folk signing up for emails from the website or signing up on facebook so if you’re new, welcome and thank you. (Benvenuto to all you Italians!)

And for those of you who are reccommending your friends and getting entered in to the win a painting competition – Good Luck!

About six months ago, I painted three paintings very similar to this one, the last of which has now sold. So I thought I’d do two slightly larger ones. I really like these chucks, it’s something about their fat bustly tail feathers. My sister took a photo of them during her trip home (from Canada) last year when we were out for lunch at Brooklodge in wicklow.

which came first? 10x10inch on canvas

Win a free painting

Did you know that you could win a free painting? Yes, free and for nothing, nada!  The idea is, you refer a friend then you get entered into a draw. Simples!

Check out the win a painting page for more info.

So this little painting is part of a series of abstract landscapes that I’ve been playing around with. I don’t know if bracken (a kind of fern that goes a red/brown in the autumn) is something particular to this part of the world or if you get it everywhere but we have a lot of it on the moors and the mountains here in the autumn.

 wicklow bracken – 7×3.5inch oil on gesso board

Meanwhile, this is what I’m dealing with!

Do any of you have kids for whom the phrase “money dosen’t grow on trees” holds no meaning at all. She wasn’t even being ironic for pete’s sake!