Cherub at Colby Woodland Gardens

This is a little study of a statue at Colby Woodland gardens, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Cherub at Colby Woodland gardens - oil on canvas panel (12" x 16")

More from holiday in Wales - Pendine & Marros

View of Pendine - oil sketch on canvas panel (12" x 16")

St. Lawrences church Marros - Plein air oil study on canvas panel (12" x 16")

Resting gardener statue at Colby Woodland Gardens near Amroth

 Here a pair of early morning oil studies made during our recent holidays in Carmathenshire / Pembrokeshire area. Just included the pencil sketch as a reminder of our visit to beautiful Colby Woodland Gardens.

Dylan Thomas pilgrimage - Laugharne Carmarthenshire

Laugharne Castle early morning - oil on canvas panel (18" x 26")

Dylan Thomas Boathouse Laugharne - oil on canvas panel (14" x 18")

View of Taf estuary into Carmarthen Bay - oil on canvas panel (12" x 16")

The Grist - oil on canvas panel (12" x 16")

This group of early morning plein air oil sketches of Laugharne were complete over last week. Beautiful summer weather made it easy to get out early. Setting up my easel before 6.30am and working until 9am meant that I had to paint quickly. Laugharne is a beautiful place with friendly local people. I can see why Dylan Thomas kept coming back to the town.

Watching the world go by - O'Connell bridge Dublin

Watching the world go by - O'Connell bridge mid afternoon late January. Oil on canvas panel (14" x 18")

This painting started life as a dull cityscape sketch of Dublin lacking any real vibrancy or energy. The addition of people with all their concerns gives the spark that makes the city live. What is a city without its people but a shell of brick & mortar.

Banna beach oil sketch

This plein air oil sketch of Banna beach was painted during a recent family break in Kerry. The weather was warm & sunny even though it is only April. It was a bit of a job to keep my tripod and easel from blowing over as there was a strong onshore breeze.

View of Banna beach - oil on canvas panel (12" x 16")

Of Castles & Kings

Here is a little oil sketch painted at a recent artists informal evening paint in. With thanks to artist Kevin McCann for the reference photo.

Of Castles & Kings - oil on canvas panel (12" X 16")

First plein air sketch of the year

Friday 1st March was a beautiful warm spring  morning so I decided to take my plein air gear outside for some painting. I spent about three hours or so on this oil sketch of a view that I have painted many times before. The time passed quickly as I chatted with people who were out for a stroll. By lunchtime heavy rain had started so it was time to pack up and head home. While the painting wasn't as finished as I would like, it is always great to paint outside as it clears the cobwebs and of course you have to cope with the changing mood of the Irish weather.

Bridge & Mill at Castletown - oil on canvas panel (14" X 18")

Autumn grazing at Forest Mountrath

I love painting the colours of autumn. It is great to have such have such beautiful pastoral scenes so close to home. This is a water meadow at Forest Mountrath.

Autumn grazing at Forest - oil on panel (40cm x 50cm)

Autumn at Roundwood House

I had the pleasure of painting en plein air at Roundwood House two mornings this week. Thankfully the weather was calm & warm which made painting the autumn colours set against the magical building a real joy. Thank you to the Flynn family for allowing me to paint at their beautiful home.

Autumn glory at Roundwood House - oil on canvas panel (20" x 24")

Oil study on canvas panel (12" x 16")

First mornings effort

"Merlin" breezes through Kilbricken

Recently (3rd Sept 2018), the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland ran a steam powered Holiday tour which passed through our local railway depot (Kilbricken). The engine is a "V" CLASS 4-4-0 COMPOUND No. 85 "MERLIN". Painted in the blue livery of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) the train & carriages were a wonderfully nostalgic sight. They reminded me of my late father, who took me as little more than a toddler to see some of the last steam trains operating before they were retired from service. While my visual memories are fleeting, the smell and sound were pure magic transporting me back through the years.

"Merlin" breezes through Kilbricken - oil on canvas panel - (12" X 16")

Recent sketches

Here are a couple of recent oil sketches.
The couple in the first painting seem to me, to be waiting to be parted once more for the working week. (Made near Cahir Castle)

Where has the weekend gone? - oil on canvas panel - (14" X 18")

During the recent glorious weather we visited Ballymaloe House. I was struck by the fantastic light through a picture window. I just had to paint it.

Picture window at Ballymaloe House - oil on canvas panel - (12" X 16")

Commissioned family portrait

This is a recent commissioned portrait of the Delaney family. It was hard to take a decent photograph of the painting (because of glare) so I have included closeups of the faces.

The Delaney family - Oil on poplar wood panel - (60cm X 80cm)

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail