Artists do all the things

I think the main attraction of living in the country is being able, to literally, put down roots. I know you can do that anywhere, really, but there is something about the space, gentle sounds and natural patterns that certainly appeals to me in a big way. And here, I can do all those things, those things I was desperately missing while I was away in Galway for college.

I don't think I've ever seen the Cherry trees this full of bloom!

The Blackthorn, Cherry Blossom and Cherry trees are in full bloom absolutely everywhere. Delicate tulips are bumping off hardy daffodils (now at their end) and my low aquilegia is battling a…well I don't actually know what it is, it's some sort of shrub that looks dreadful until it literally bursts with almost fake looking pale pink flowers against quite dark leaves…I may have to put manners on it today. I can see the Turn cap lilies crowning, the crocosmia is beginning to look like something. The onions and beetroot are in, and with any luck I'll get the various pumpkin/squash and marrows in this week or next. Hopefully the peas, spuds and whatever else we have will go in soon too. 

I say this every year but it is incredibly satisfying to grow your own. Whether that's a little herb patch, hanging baskets of strawberries (the only way, by the way) or a veg plot. Even having your own cut flowers is, for me anyway, pure joy. I love collecting them and arranging them all over the house. It brings colour and life everywhere and is truly magical.

Because I forget the names of things and where they are, a friend told me (duh) that you can paint stones (which we have no shortage of) and then weather-proof them with clear nail varnish. Now I have markers that are vernacular!

 I got stuck in to making some new little baby owlies over the weekend also. I had forgotten how much I enjoy making them, and their almost alchemical qualities. How a bundle of material and some buttons can go from looking like something that is 'left over' to something with a personality and soul.

"Buta", a tiny paisley owl being sewn up Easter Sunday in the wonderful, glorious sun.

Finally, as wonderful Frieda Kahlo said "dress everyday for paradise". Whatever your idea of paradise is. Don't let what other people say or think sway your own personal expression. When we live at our highest possible level, that energy radiates from us and effects those we come into contact with. You provide healing and bring joy just by being your purest self.

For the craic, I get totally dolled up to go to work. I probably to go a little over the top...more is more, right? :)

Whites

I think our relationship with colour changes throughout life. I used to not be able to entertain red at all, but in the last couple of years I've begun to appreciate it and sneak it in (admittedly forcefully) to my surroundings and wardrobe. Beige (tea, oatmeal, and browns) put me to sleep, but I've learned how to manage them and appreciate their gentle, grounding effect. Spring...Summer (what season is this officially now?!) used to be vibrant greens, soft pastel pinks and baby blue - I don't know if that stems from advertising or environment? But this year Spring is very much white, yellow and grey.
The bleeched white of the blackthorn in bloom - all of a sudden - like fluffy white clouds pinned down by the thorns. 

Not to mention the daffodils and narcissi, which are a riot of tones and textures. They are positively neon on dull days, and nearly vanish completely in full light! 

Grey is that soft colour that allows white to really show its brilliance and takes the sting out of yellow. Oh the glorious sun! How we appreciate your visits! 

1 litre Jupiler beer stein picked up in a charity shop in c.bar on Monday, chazzing with a dear friend. I love it's soft grey against the brilliance of yellow and cheeky pink. It's also a beautiful shape and has a wonderful weight to it. I can't imagine drinking beer from it though, it would be quite a workout!

My 'whites'. Nothing epitomizes a fine day in Ireland more than a washing line. Ignore if you can the chem trails in the background... 

Colour Addict

Winter, with it's ultra-violet snow, pale gold sedge grasses and dramatic lighting gives way to another colour palette in Spring. I'm not the first to admit that I'm addicted to colour. Wrap up a nice slab of turquoise, or canary yellow and I'll sink my teeth into it like it's a piece of chocolate. I get such a kick out of it. But I think the colours of Spring are so...arresting...because they are set against the Winter backdrop, thus popping. I'm not saying that I don't love Summer (I do), but it's a very different thing you have to agree.

Today is one of those days you just know is going to be smashing before you even pull the blinds. The birds are in full swing, and that Spring Smell is in the air. So I took my mismatched menagerie down to the river for a little stroll.

Boo and his shadow self - such a rarity to get strong enough sun for strong shadows!

Some alien looking algae growing in a puddle, such a vibrant shade of green!

Boo, checking out an invisible robin in the hawthorn tree.

Himself, posing, against a sea of blue

The wonderfully loyal and humble daffodil. These had been starting to come up since early January, and popped open while I was away in the States. They are so joyful and bright and a sure sign that Spring has sprung!

In conclusion, colours are wonderful. Even the most grey 'miserable' day affords us with a litany of colours and tones to enjoy, it's just a matter of finding them and seeing their worth. We wouldn't appreciate or see the beauty of Spring and Summer's colours without the gentle palettes of Autumn and Winter.

Return!

So I have returned from my rambles abroad. While I was there it felt like such a long time. Now that I'm home only a week, it feels like a very long time ago. Time is strange that way.
I found the trip extremely inspiring and energizing. I'm full of ideas for my own work, and looking forward to finishing a big project too...now that I can see a context for it. America is oh. so. big. Everything seems very possible there.

Check out these amazing bird houses (above) ...bird hotels...bird villas. I don't think there is an appropriate term for them, they are so magical. And with a lick of paint, some I think would look very like this...

Unfortunately, purple martins, the type of birds these little palaces are made for, will only nest in white houses. I guess they have standards too and prefer the timeless appeal of delicate white wash.
I experienced all the seasons while there...torrential rain, gale force winds, heavy snowfalls, and a little Indian Summer. It was suitably March-like in it's schizophrenia. But now that I'm home, the daffodils are up and the green fields are showing off against the dramatic light of Spring. Whenever I return home, I'm strongly reminded that I am right where I need to be. It's quite wonderful.

From the heart necklace...

A necklace I made to wear for an upcoming special occasion. I really enjoyed putting this together last nice. I have a special place in my heart for circles, and green (the colour of the heart chakra) is actually quite an appropriate colour for a wedding.
Over the years I have been given, gifted, acquired, collected and happened across lots of things which at the time I know will be useful for something one day...the constant mantra of the artist.  This is a perfect example of how those things, separately bits of nothing, can come together in a gentle working constellation.
You can call it recycling, up-cycling, being creative or cheap...I'm not labelling it. All I know is that I made something that I would have never found on the high street. That I will never see another one quite like it on someone else and that was completely put together with my own fair hands.
There is something magical and empowering about that, I think. Something very real and primal too.

Yes, I will bend this wire, so help me, and cut and stretch and search for just that one more THING! And there it is, ta dah! A circle-y collection of green...

Thank you, brave little heart.

She Said Goodbye to the Circus (in progress)

Hey.

I know, I couldn't actually wait another second, and it isn't even close to being finished.

I guess I wanted to put it up before I go off on my galavanting at the end of the week. When I get back I'm going to absolutely BLAST it with detail...you know, little things like giving the zebra eyes and what-not o.O

I bet you can't wait either.

Something new will be here soon...

I've spent the last three days drawing solid. I haven't drawn in literally weeks due to having the flu and other things going on, so it felt so amazing to get stuck in to it again. 

And

I'm absolutely loving what I'm drawing. Usually I think it's ok, or yeah, good enough...or I struggle to get things going and right, but this one...its basically drawing itself and I'm just sitting here watching it come together.

A friend and I were talking about it last night actually, and she was saying that when your drawing for yourself, there is a strength and truth in it, which makes it universal anyway. And that's why its so easy, and well...likable.

I can't wait to show it off and post it up on absolutely everything, and get it framed and hang it on my wall so I can just look at it every time I come into my studio.

It's nice to do something for myself.

:)