Painting 2016

by Deborah Watkins. Posted on May 2, 2016

02 May

2016 has been a year of false starts and I have found it difficult to settle into a good working routine. I messed up a couple of paintings early in the year and it was all the harder to get back. There is always a countless number of tasks to hoover up my time when I allow them to. Then there were the usual winter related flus and viruses, one particularly nasty one has just made it’s way through three members of the family, myself included and here we are it’s May already.

If I have learned one thing over the past few months, it is that I need to allocate some time every week to painting and stick to it. Then I must use the time as efficiently as possible. I cleared out my painting studio a couple of weeks ago and this helped to make a fresh start. For me, it’s a question of focus and confidence. I visualise what I want to do and then I set about getting it down on canvas. I don’t worry too much about making mistakes, I just keep going until the painting is finished and it is usually fairly clear to me when I can’t do any more with a piece.

The inspiration for this painting came from a photo I took near Maam Cross in January. I used this image for the basic composition – the large mountain in the background, the strong cleft through the landscape and the swirling grasses.

This is how the piece started out. I took the photo late at night so there’s some reflection. I thought afterwards that the mountain looked a bit too like Eyre’s Rock so I scaled it down a bit at the next stage.

This next stage is interesting because the inks and paint are still very wet – the ink has bubbled where I’ve applied it. I’ve put in lots of contrast – blue to dampen down the background and dark brown to highlight the blue channel and some shadows in the grasses. I’ve tried to introduce lots of movement in these grass shapes with each application of colour.

This photo was taken once the paint had dried. The colours have died down, although the movement is still there. At this point, the piece is almost ready for varnishing.

I added some red paint in a few places before varnishing as I felt it needed a bit of warmth. I’m happy with this one and glad to be back to work.

Gallery Studios and September Exhibitions

by Deborah Watkins. Posted on September 4, 2015

04 Sep

My Studio on the top floor of the gallery

As our season reaches something of a lull during the back to school period, Gavin and myself are busy making work for two forthcoming exhibitions. Gavin is finishing some large paintings for an exhibition to be opened shortly in the Toradh Gallery in County Meath. Collectively, it is the largest body of work that he has produced since he developed his collage/painting technique about six years ago. Continue reading →

Gavin Lavelle Exhibition – Clifden Arts Week

by Deborah Watkins. Posted on September 24, 2014

24 Sep

Spiral Eye by Gavin Lavelle

Gavin Lavelle opened an exhibition of his work this week end for Clifden Arts Week. The display is located at the Station House on the Galway Road and it comprises of twelve new works. The large space is divided into three rooms, the accompanying rooms feature work by Irish landscape artist Joe Wilson and artist and woodturner Angie Williams. The diversity of material and colour make for an interesting exhibition that showcases the high standard of artwork being made here in Connemara. Continue reading →

November Landscapes

by Deborah Watkins. Posted on November 21, 2013

21 Nov

Cover image – ‘November Pool’ by Deborah Watkins

These landscapes were worked together. They are all done on 5″ x 7″ heavyweight acrylic paper. The one above is based on a view of the Twelve Bens mountain range from the Roundstone Bog Road. I’ve kept the mountains sketchy and light to make them recede a little and I’ve used lots of thick paint and ink in the foreground to describe the grasses and this large pool. I didn’t take photographs during the process – they were worked quickly and sometimes I find that stopping to take images interrupts the session too much.

I’ve called this one below ‘November Red’ – the colour of the bog has been exaggerated but the contrast between the paleness of the grasses and the peat itself is there.

‘November Red’ by Deborah Watkins

This next painting was also worked quickly – I’ve used large brushes for the foreground and smaller ones to describe the hills behind. It’s evening so the colours are all quite dark. I’ve attempted to heighten the drama with this dark cloud shape that mirrors the swirling lines of the bog.

‘November Evening’ by Deborah Watkins

A little too much colour for November? Perhaps, but is is all fading now and quickly so maybe I’m just taking stock..

Still Painting

by Total WP Support Inc.. Posted on December 12, 2012

12 Dec

Still painting yes, but still using a roller and a very large bucket of matt white emulsion. I’d love to be one of those people who can manage more than one major project ( ie: painting the house and some other stuff as well – like the other kind of painting ) but sadly I am not and frankly it’s a wonder that the family haven’t starved and/or run out of clothes as this task has been truly all consuming. On the positive side though, the house has never looked better. Unseen corners that haven’t been noticed for years are emerging and EVERYTHING looks brighter – there’s a lot to be said for ‘Brilliant white’! I have had the occasional splurge of colour like this green wall (below) in my kitchen which I love. We have prints and paintings here that we have bought/collected and swapped over the past ~~fiveteen~~ fifteen years or so. The toaster sketch is by our friend Joyce Tansey and the Coffee Pot is by Blaise Smith. The print under the Toaster is by Kathe Kollwitz and the landscapes are by good friend and talented painter Mary Donnelly. The Little Trees drawing is by canadian artist Luke Ramsey. I love them all.

and just look at those shiny white skirting boards and that sparkly architrave – I do feel proud!

Here’s a bit of red in the front room below.

I love red and also have some in my kitchen. The fabric in the blind came from Ikea – out of date now. I still treasure it even though it’s a bit faded. There’s ‘Jellybean’ our ginger cat outside on the window sill..

I’m almost there, just another coat of gloss in the hall and that’s the downstairs done. Upstairs can wait till after Christmas..

Soon back to painting on canvas then – I’ve a couple of hen paintings that need to be finished which I’ll post about in a little while.

Conamara Bog Week Exhibition

by Deborah Watkins. Posted on June 2, 2012

02 Jun

I visited an art exhibition in the National Park in Letterfrack this week as part of the annual Bog week celebrations that are held here. This year, four artists were invited to contribute to a show with the theme of the Boglands in mind. The artists in question are all living locally so just as the exhibition champions the Bog week festival, it also recognises and salutes some of the artists who live and work in this area.

This year Bog week celebrates the work of Laura Cull, Gemma Coyne, Jay Murphy and Bernie Dignam.

Bernie Dignam is a textile artist and printmaker whose tapestries and woven batik and silk hangings resonate a long tradition and colourfully portray the subject.

Jay Murphy presents a variety of work for this show which includes some large paintings of old boats in mixed media as well as some small square landscapes on board in rich pastel hues.

Gemma Coyne has produced a series of photographs as well as a video installation. Her photography captures her placement of wood and felted objects in the natural landscape. All of these artists have paid homage to the theme in a sympathetic and creative way through their work but I have singled out the paintings of Laura Cull here as they resonated with me especially.

Here is an example of one of Laura’s paintings below.

I love the sinuous lines and delicate colours of these. They are so strongly evocative of the Bog but in a light and ethereal way. They make me think of precious remains – perhaps those uncovered bog bodies or some ancient fabric belonging to an old chieftan.

Here are two more paintings below – similar textures but this time with vivid greens and browns.

These green paintings seem tangible and organic – perhaps some piece of ground observed under a microscope. They connect well with the blue shadowy paintings and bring diversity and depth to the collection of works on show. I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition and it continues over the holiday week end until June 4th. Go see if you can!