Events and News
I’ve included some of my favourite moments of the last year first, but scroll on for current and future things happening
2023 was truly exciting - A painting for the King and Queen!
Jubilee Garden
It all began with this one - actually in 2022. I made this after being enchanted by the clockwork garden, designed by Diarmuid Gavin, celebrity garden designer. It was such a beautiful confection of a garden to be able to freely enjoy in Antrim. The council saw my painting on social media and decided to buy it. Yay!!
Coronation Garden
This was such an honour to do! Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council commissioned me near the end of the construction of this garden. Diarmuid Gavin and his team were working right up to the presentation! so I couldn’t see it for many days before.
So it was a very quick turnaround for this one. No messing about - work like mad! There was a shroud of secrecy as to who the VIPs who would be receiving the painting were, and I am so glad I didn’t know who the commission was for, or my nerves would have been shredded!!
The Moment of Presentation!
What a day!
Magical! I had invited myself to the opening, before I knew who all the guests would be, cheekily saying that of course the artist of the painting would have to be present! Happily for me, they agreed, so a wonderful time unfolded. I’m so grateful! I didn’t get to meet Their Majesties but I was fortunate to be able to take this photo. The painting is now in the Royal Collection
View From the Secret Garden
There is a postscript to this story. The “front” of the garden couldn’t be viewed properly as there had still been too much construction going on at the time of the first painting, so there was nowhere to stand to do preliminary sketches and the first indications and base colour-blocking on the canvas en plein air, so the first view was agreed upon for the Royal painting. This one was commissioned as a view enjoyed by the Princess of Wales from what is called the “Secret Garden”
I loved playing with the colour and sunshine in both paintings
Demo for Glengormley Art Club
I was absolutely delighted to be asked to do a demo for Glengormley Art Club 15th April and I received a very warm welcome. I may well work more on this piece to creat a finished work, and I was pleased that I had done this sketch in preparation as it helped the flow of the session for me. The power of sketching. I’ve learned not to dismiss it. I was in Westport earlier in the year and took many reference photos. this, of course, was near the canal.
March Plein Air Classes
We began the new season of outdoor painting! It stayed dry for both classes and I loved showing some new techniques to my students and encouraging them in their own styles. The pastels are a great medium for covering a lot of space during the 4 hour session.
If you’d like to join in by attending a class, or give a gift of an art experience to someone special, please see art classes
Daffy Demo! - The sun was out for us. There are loads of sweet spots in the Antrim Castle Gardens but I couldn’t resist this swathe of daffodils.Here I gave a demo to start us off then visited all participants
Quiet consideration of how to proceed when you are near completion
Our Daffodil Idyll. When the sun is out creating sun and shadows, it’s great to consider how to handle the colours. I encourage all participants to go at their own pace, and add a little challenge as they progress.
Plein air painting is so absorbing.
All wrapped up and concentrating. The chairs and easels are so handy to get to the chosen location. You can see little pieces of Pastlemat paper so you can test out your colours before placing on the painting.
The Yellows of the daffodils took much less conversation between us all, compared to the contemplation of greens
I didn’t take so many pictures for this session. It was a little chilly and windy, so we stayed in the courtyard and painted the greenhouse. It has lovely grapes in the summer.
The Green Greenhouse - my demo piece for this session.
Pastel Society of Ireland Annual Exhibition
See below for my entries.
Sentinel Sophie - £395
Causeway to Daft Eddy’s - £495
River Reflections - £295
Hambly and Hambly - John Richardson French Residency Award
Finalists’ Exhibition
I was very honoured to be a finalist again this year for my painting “Winter, Half-Light.” Here’s me enjoying the evening with other artist friends in front of my contribution. Congratulations to everyone who took part and to the winners, I look forward to seeing what they produce while in France. I am delighted that my painting has SOLD and now has a home in Chicago!
Me!
Winter, Half-Light - SOLD
