Homer Simpson school of web design

I’m planning on doing some work on my website over the next little while. You may have noticed things moving around already. If so don’t be alarmed, it’s not you, it’s me! Sometimes I work away on it and think it’s all great. Then a week or so later I look at the same page and there is the biggest, most obvious mistake. It’s a homer moment!

I’d really love to get any feedback you have. I know you’re busy but if you spot anything Homer would be proud of please tell me! Likewise if something occurs to you that might improve things, just drop me a line here or on facebook.

rush hour in Moy

This little landscape is one from a series around Moy village near Lahinch in west Clare. I took off on my own a couple of afternoons whenever the sun was shining. A risky business in the west of Ireland, sure enough as soon as you think the sun is coming out, it’s gone again. Anyway I loved this little winding road that takes you from Cregg Beach up towards the little, blink and you miss it, village of Moy.

Painting the town red

So, did you get in to town for Culture Night? If you couldn’t make it in, you have got to make a date for next year. No really, I mean it. It’s great craic and free and needless to say we had a great night.

We all trouped in on the dart, kids an’all and heading straight up to the Bad Art Gallery which was already heaving. Here are some of my paintings hanging in the gallery. You can kinda see how busy it was. There was life sketching going on to the right with Dr. Sketchy, which was a hoot.

Lots of friends and family were there to enjoy the night and to wish me well. This is me with Roddie and Dee , Roddie is my uncle.

My friend Kevin was cutting a fine figure posing painting in the window and his picture made the cover of the Irish Times the next day.

After spending some time in Francis Street the kids headed off with their Nana and we (Rob and I) headed out into the town, footloose and fancy free! There were hundreds of events and galleries open until late and sure the night was young!

Of course, some stops along the way had to be made!

The IFI were showing the Commitments in Meeting House Square. Classic!

Culture night 2010 finally came to a close in the very wee hours in JJ’s a jazz and blues club!

the cliffs of moher

This painting is one of the new selection that will be available in The Killarney Art Gallery shortly. Actually it’s one of my personal favourites, although not a great photo.

The cliffs of Moher 16×16 inch white box frame oil on canvas

it’s off to town we go, high ho!

I didn’t paint today or yesterday! I know, imagine!

But I’ve been busy with other things. I’ve been working on the website (did you see the new galleries section in the top menu bar?) and sorting out exciting things like looking for advice on bookkeeping. You know when you’re driving a car there’s a blind spot?  My “business blind spot” is bookkeeping. I’m fairly competent in the admin sphere, but when it comes to figures and the bookkeeping end of things I have huge laspes in reason, concentration and the will to live!

Do you have any good advice for me? I could do with it.

Anyway, it’s off to town we go tonight for culture night. The family von trappe O’Farrell/Lawson/Aherne/Alén. Loosly translated as me, Rob, my kids, my Mum and Sagrario (my Spanish student/daughter). We will take the dart (train) into town, heading up to Francis Street first of all for the fun in the Bad Art Gallery.  Mum will bring the kids home with her and we will follow later under our own steam (and other influences).

The Bad Art Gallery events are as follows…

• 5-11pm – Treasure Hunt
• 5-7pm – Top artists - Lucy Doyle painting in one window
• 5-7pm – Padraig Mccaul painting in the other window
• 7pm – 9.30pm – David Nolan painting live in the gallery window
• 7- 9pm – Artist Kevin McSherry painting live
• 7- 11pm – Dr.Sketchy’s art class –
  • Burlesques girls posing the gallery and all The Bad Art Gallery artists will be drawing them. Involves prizes, drink, DJ and plenty of fun!
• 7-11pm – T-Bone Kelly performing with his band – Jazz music
• 7-9pm – MaSamba will parade along Francis Street
• 9-11pm – Marion the firedancer will perform on Francis Street
• 5-11pm – Food on Sticks

kate’s apple’s

My neighbour’s have apple tree’s and were kind enough to present me with a bag of these gorgeous red apple’s the other day. I really enjoyed painting them. (In fact I may be reduced to scaling the wall for some more) This painting is one of the largest I’ve done as yet and is 24×24 inches. It’s off to the Killarney Art Gallery and will be available in a week or two.

katies apple’s 24×24 inches oil on canvas.

new work at the bad art gallery

The final five paintings (you can see them all here) left for The Bad Art Gallery last night and you should be able to see all or most of them by Culture night, this coming Friday.

My old friend Kevin McSherry will be doing a painting demonstration in the window and that alone will be worth a look see.

Dr. Sketchy (part of the anti art movement of artists) will also be there on the night. Basically you can bring along a notebook and pen and you get to sketch burlesque dancers! It’s life drawing but with all the stuffiness taken away! Go on give it a go!

best bib and tucker

The painting above is one that I’m trying out and I like it so far. I’ve had to explain the title already so It’s obviously a bit obtuse. Basically the scene is rather grand and the cat is all puffed up in his “best bib and tucker” to meet the ocasion!

best bib and tucker 16×16 oil on canvas