
On site, plein air sketch using fine-line pens and homemade inks. Autumn 2021
I am so pleased that I have been awarded a bursary for Artlinks, a funding body run by an amalgamation of 4 local arts offices, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford,Waterford.
This bursary allows me to continue my work on a nearby protected raised bog.
In the midst of the winter when I was unable to get down to the bog I realised I could actually see it from where I live. This allowed me to broaden my viewpoints and as this interest started during the time of Covid, I decided to broaden the investigation to within 5 k of the bog.
The bog in question is called Redbog and Iwas introduced to it by an artist friend, Jules Michael. She had asked me to get involved with her and a group of other artists who were trying to investigate the history and gather stories about the bog. They asked me to get involved as I live so close by and know quite a few people in the area. It soon became obvious that the story of the bog was not what was expected.
There was not much ’Meas’ put on the bog by the older people it seems. I was unable to keep working with the group due to my own work but they went on to work with the children in the local school and did a great job in raising awareness for the next generation. Thanks to the @drumminbog group the bog has a bright future, even if its past is murky!
But the bog has become a bit an obsession for me. I’m not sure why but it keeps me sane…..ish….
As I became interested in the bog I also became interested in the kind of materials we artists use.
lets face it acrylics are pure plastic, so that addiction has to stop.
That doesn’t bother me too much as I like watercolours and charcoal.

Some years ago I started making my own charcoal and was always very pleased with the subtle colours I got.
I also played around with eco printing on fabric, so i have been working towards making my own inks and pigments.
In recent months having gotten used to online workshops during lockdown I signed myself up for a few online courses to fast forward my skills. I also find Instagram fantastic for inspiration.

On the bog my sketches are done in sketchbooks as they are not probably very lightfast if exposed to a lot of light. many of what are called plant pigments or inks are fugitive; which means they probably lose their colour and become a neutral grey probably.
lightfastness can also be an issue. This is why I was keen to do a book to preserve the initial results. The sketchbook work will stay in the sketchbooks and so will not be exposed to light for any lengths of time. This will preserve them for time immemorial 😂😂

