Kierans Pumpkins...

All my students will sigh when they see this - for they know how I love pumpkins, and moreso, gourds. Gourds must be nature's little joke - so garish and funny, and purely decorative. Just to make us smile. I wasn't sure how this would turn out, but I've loved doing it. It has a calmness about it. As I post it here, its not quite finished, but near enough to share. 8in x 10in, Oils on board.

(Tip of the day - if you place your laptop onto what you thought was a dry painting, you will be delighted to discover a near-perfect imprint, firstly on the laptop and then on every other surface you move it to. Ahem. Thats not the tip btw, the tip is - tidy up after each little job before starting the next.... And no, it wasn't the pumpkins, it was a tonal version of the next painting, phew, which is some cheesey cheeses..)

Workshops coming up - mini Portfolio preparation all through January 2011
Water Colours in Dublin
Oils in Belfast
Weekly Drawing and Painting resuming in Belfast....
Call for info and booking!

finally finished...Gennie's apples

Gennie's tree had so many apples this year that the weight of the crop pulled the tree right over. This painting was hard work, I wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But at the same time, there's nothing like a challenge, yikes.  I used liquin as thinner in some places but decided half way through that I don't like it, as it gives an unhelpful sheen. Though I expect I'll change my mind on that the next time...  Don't know if the painting is finished, but I know I'm not doing any more on it, moving on, moving on... it was 8in x 8in, oils on board.

Todays painting... Holly, 10in x 11in

Today I completed a water colour painting that I started at last weeks Monthly Monday class in Killaloe, in the west of Ireland. I try to keep all workshop subjects seasonal (apart from one very dreary January when the dark days were under-inspiring, so I splashed on a gigantic bunch of sunflowers. Sometimes, the seasons need a kick-start!) But this time, the red berries and shiny leaves of holly were just right. Its rare that I complete a water colour, and every time I do, I wonder why I don't do it more often. Quick, clean, fresh pigments - what's not to like? All around me right now are Christmas wreathes, oranges and cloves, a feast of colour against the snow.

Chillies 7 x 10 Oil on Canvas
This painting is the first that I did in a series for local shops - small paintings to reflect the shop they are displayed in. This is in Coffees Butcher, I think they may be my biggest fans. And their sausages are wonderful..