"Art in the Open" Begins!

Yesterday's paint-out to the riverside town of New Ross marked the beginning of our annual plein air festival. Now in its fourth year, it has just gotten bigger and bigger. We already have almost 100 pre-registered on line and the main festival competition doesn't begin until Friday! This year we will have some 12-15 international artists which will add tremendously to the festival.

Yesterday's paint-out was a relatively low-key affair, but there were still approximately twenty of us. I stuck to the obvious (for me!), choosing two riverside subjects. The first show the replica "Dunbrody Famine Ship" in the background, now a permanent visitors attraction. The original Dunbrody would have brought the unfortunate, or perhaps, the more fortunate famine victims in search of another chance at life in the USA. Still many would have died en route on these voyages, probably mainly from famine related illnesses such as typhoid fever. While I painted the boat, my painting interest was the left foreground area with the striking reflections. It was quite a dull, but warm and humid morning.

Morning Reflections, New Ross
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

It brightened up a little in the afternoon, but it still remained mostly cloudy. This permanent fixture on the quayside provided some welcome colour. The owner runs frequent river tours daily on a separate boat which is usually moored to the outside of "The Galley". I considered painting both boats from the other side, but thought better of it, having been victim to disappearing boat syndrome on a number of occasions!

"The Galley", New Ross

(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

Here are photos of both scenes, taken before I started:-

Two West Kerry Seascapes

I painted these about six weeks ago but then forgot about them (well, I did spend three weeks in France in the meantime!). When I looked at them again this morning, I noticed that the highlights had "sunk" quite a lot, so I restated them in thicker impasto strokes. Perhaps no longer plein air to the "purists", but better paintings for the changes.
Both were painted on a foggy monring in West Kerry. I was almost going to turn around and go home but decide to stick with it as the fog started to lift. The first one was painted as the light was coming and going, but it had cleared away completely by the time a started the second one.


Fog Clearing, Cloger Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

After the Fog, Near Clogher Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Some Paintings from France

I'm just back from an extended holiday in France, which included a week painting with the renowned Wapping Group. It was great to meet up again with such renowned artists as Trevor Chamberlain, Bert Wright and Michael Richardson and many other too numerous to mention. So a lot of healthy competition then for someone who doesn't usually paint street scenes!

Here is one from Honfleur:-

The Lieutenant's House, Honfleur
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

And one from Saumur:-

Sunday Lunch, Place St Pierre, Saumur
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

I did this one in the beautiful little town of Bayeux on my way back to Cherbourg:-

The Day Before the Fair, Bayeux

(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

Here's a photo of the first scene:-

More to follow when I get time.

Ferrycarrig Paint-Out

Our local plein air group went to the Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, just outside Wexford town, yesterday. A disappointingly cloudy day (apart from when we took a break for lunch!), so I decided to have fun. A little imagination led to a lot of colour!

Pond Ripples, Ferrycarrig
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

High Tide, Ferrycarrig

(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

And a couple of photos of both scenes:-

A Day in Kells, Co Kilkenny

We had a group paint-out on Sunday to the picturesque little village of Kells, Co Kilkenny. Despite being very chilly with a strong wind and a couple of heavy showers, there was lovely crisp light when the sun shone. As usual, the river called me, despite being even colder down there! I managed to get two done before the prospect of a pint and chat with friends in Shirley's Bar proved irrestible!

King's River, Near Kells
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

The Small Weir, Near Kells
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

A couple of photos of both scenes:-

The Last Day!

Well Day 5 of my West Kerry painting trip! And what a day it turned out to be, not a cloud in the sky all day, and the Atlantic looking a Mediterranean turquoise blue. I arrived at Coumeenole at about 8-00am, and did this one looking South over the beach.

Going Surfing, Coumeenoole
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

I just walked over to the far side of Dunmore Head for my second one, but brought two panels with me, since I planned to complete two before returning to my car. I was amazed at the colour of the sea - I don't think I've ever seen the sea this colour in Ireland.

Towards Dunquin (From Dunmore Head)
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Things went a bit downhill after that. For some reason which escapes me, I decided to walk right out to the Western tip of Dunmore Head (that means climbing as well as walking), lugging all my gear plus a wet painting. When I got out there, it wasn't particularly inspiring, so I just settled for painting what was in front of me (rarely a good idea). A couple of hours later, I realised that I now had quite a long hike back, this time with two wet painting (and no carrier box)! I must have been a sorry sight trudging towards my car about an hour later! This was not quite the end to the week I had in mind, but a well deserved pint of Guinness when I got home cheered me up a bit!

I tried to "rescue" the painting by adding the figures later, but it is still probably the weakest of the series. I like the title though.

"The End", Dunmore Head
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

A Week in West Kerry (Day 4)

My first one from Day 4. I had my eye on this scene all week and was determined to get up early enough to catch the sun in the right place, should the weather clear.
 
Morning Glow, Milltown (Near Dingle)
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

My second from Day 4. I wasted a lot of time trying to find a place to get at this view. I eventually took a chance on trespassing on some farmland, but thankfully got away with it!

Towards Clogher Head, Near Ferriter's Cove

(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

My third from Day 4. I had quite an audience while painting this iconic view, but it was fun.

Evening Glow, Coumeenoole

(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

I'll post the final three tomorrow, if I get time.