Waiting on Ms. Marple

A scene from the little bar in the front lounge in Hunter’s.

Waiting on Ms. Marple 80×80 square oil on canvas

A visit to Hunter’s Hotel

I mentioned Hunter’s Hotel the other day. My Mum and I took a visit there recently, mainly to take some reference photos and I thought maybe you’d be interested to have a look. Hunter’s is Ireland’s oldest coaching inn, now in the 5th generation of the same family. The Mother of the current owner was a formidable lady and there are many stories about her. One was that on returning from an evening out, an ambassador to a lesser known country found his bags packed and in the hall because she disaproved of his “escort”.

Years ago my husband and I called enquiring after dinner and she took one look at us and suggested we might get chips in the village! Cheek! (in fairness, there may can been some ripped denim)

Anyway the house, due in no small part to this formidable lady is like taking a step back in time into a 1930′s country home where you might easily expect Ms Marple to turn the corner any moment.

I’m no great photographer and just use a little point and shoot cannon but I’ve learnt what I’m looking for is ideas for composition mainly. I usually take loads of photos and may end up amalgamating aspects of two or more. I can change colors and add or lose contrast or warmth so the photos don’t need to do everything. Thy become a kind of  visual sketchbook that I can go back over later.

Around Christmas two years ago we had the first proper snow in years. The kids and I went up to the back of Powerscourt Golf Course for some fun and while there I took some reference photos. This little painting was one of a series that came from that day. It shows the sugarloaf mountain, which in truth is really a not much of a mountain but is iconic of Wicklow, the county where I live.

Sugarloaf under snow 8×8 inch on gessoed bord.

Anyway, an outside broadcasting company (Observe), based in Wicklow, have used the image on their Christmas Card this year. So this picture is now winging it’s way around the world to their customers and clients as we speak.

Very fitting as it’s snowing here this morning. Just a light dusting, but very festive all the same.

Sugarloaf under snow 8×8 inch on gessoed bord.

half of life is showing up

It’s a particularly busy time of year and what with other things as well I’m struggling to keep up with my painting. That said I am working away slow and steady and hoping things will turn the corner.

Killarney Art Gallery will have their Christmas open weekend Dec 17th & 18th and Christmas shows continue at the Tallyantyre, The Doorway and Buckeys Galleries.

Half of life is showing up 80×90 cm oil on canvas

In other news..

The Christmas decorations are up!

and the stockings are hung…

so really everything else is gravy!

Photos from: tinywhitedaises

lean on me

60x60sq oil on canvas

Christmas show doorway gallery tonight

There’ll be christmas cheer and mulled wine and all things Christmassy tonight 6.30pm at the Doorway Gallery, South Frederick Street in Dublin. They have a “Christmas Stocking Filler” extravaganza planned with small works for all their popular artists. And all under €500! I have 10 small framed paintings divided between wellies and interiors and I’ll be there too so do come along and say Hi.

The gallery was flooded during the “monster rain” a while back and has under gone a complete transformation so it will be a chance to see the reveal too!

Please excuse our apearance…

By the way, I’m sorry the website was a bit dicky earlier this week. The images were not showing unless clicked on. Problem with the permissions (in the end) but all sorted out now. Thanks for your emails to let me know but as it often happens it wasn’t a case that I was unaware there was a problem, just unaware how to fix it.