Bright Sunlight!

Seems like we've had nothing but grey days here for weeks on end, so even though I was tired, having been on the road for a few days, I headed down to my favourite headland in glorious sunshine yesterday morning. It clouded over later in the afternoon, but I managed to complete this while the sun was shining.

Summer Afternoon, Carnivan Beach
(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

This is a photograph of the scene taken before I started:-

Screen and Ballyhack Paint-Outs.

I did this one a couple of weeks ago in the picturesque little village of Screen. A bit showery, but nice bright sunlight in between. I got drawn to these old tree stumps behind a derelict building. Had to move things about a bit, but I like the resulting composition.

Fallen Trees
(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

I did this one yesterday at a group paint-out in Ballyack. It was mostly overcast, but there was a hint of sun every now and then and I tried to capture that light effect.

Harbour Reflections, Ballyhack

(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

Here are photos of both scenes:-

Some Stuff from Art In the Open Festival

It's been a busy few weeks, so I haven't really painted that much. Our annual plein air festival (www.artintheopen.org) was bigger than ever this year, with over 120 artists entering the main competition and probably another 100 or so attending workshops and other events. It was also great to see a much increased international presence this year.

I managed to paint for 3-4 hours on the Saturday of the main event and also got out to paint on a local beach a few days later. As a steering committee member, I was excluded from the competition, but allowed to enter a few paintings in the exhibition. The first one below is no surprise, as I always get drawn to water. The second is a famous Wexford landmark, its rather dull exterior playing down the fact that  the Centenary Stores is really a lively place comprising a pub, restaurant and nightclub. I think it is this which attracted me to it, but I also liked the fact that I could see a lot of subtle warm reflected light in the front facing wall, despite the dull, overcast conditions.

Reflections, Wexford Quay
(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

The "Stores", Wexford

(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

Finally, I got out to paint at a local beach a few days later. It turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon, made extra special by the generosity of one of our painting colleagues, who hosted a barbecue for almost 50 artists. To top it all, I sold this one "off the easel" to a lovely German lady who was on vacation in Wexford.

Summer Afternoon, Rosslare Strand

(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes, taken before I started in each case.