This is a short blog Which is taking ages to post as I am having trouble with my images, they keep disappearing, that I did while staying in Cill Rialig the artists retreat in county Kerry. It is an Amazing windswept wild spot. On the edge of the world, close to Valencia Island. The home of the the chocolate factory is nearby…….yummy
Day one
I arrived about three o clock. It is a wild desolate spot. A thing of beauty. First night I went for drinks to Noelle’s house, very pleasant and some lovely company.
We are on the edge of the world here. I will have to get used to being alone. I smell a scaredy cat.
I went out ASAP and took some photos with the camera of Cill Rialig and the views as I know tomorrow is to be a wash out. Then I did a couple of little watercolours from the camera To get the ball rolling.
I think my aim while I am here is to experiment with different media and see which really fires me. I want to get out and do pleine air watercolours and oils. I may not move far, I’ll see how I feel.
Day two
I want to get that started and later I will put on my waterproofs and get out to feel the mountain that sits above the sea!The wind and rain are howling out side. I peeped out at the sea it is spectacular. I am working on a commission of a dog a who is not well for an Xmas present. In the evening a few of were entertained by Noelle Campbell Sharp in her amazing house. Lovely evening. Nice people.
Day three
This morning I woke up feeling relaxed and decided to have a look out the window. There looking up at me was the sheep who Lives in the field between me and the sea. Lovely look on his face.
Sunday afternoon, listening to Gay Byrne because I can get nothing else and the CD player won’t work. This morning I took a trip to Ballinskelligs and Dungeagan. The car was making a strange noise and I think it was smelling funny when I got back. I tried yo do a quick watercolour inside here before I went out…..disaster! Then I took my sheet of drawing paper that I had flattened last night on my board, out the back door and attempted a charcoal of the view. I then brought it inside to finish it off
I also finished the dog……I t
At lunchtime I paid a visit to the meeting room to check it out out. It is lovely and I do hope to get together with some of the residents in it! Had a lovely supper provided by an English sculptor for a few of us.
Day four
Today has been a struggle. This morning was not bad. I got some lovely photos and got to meet Mary. Before that I went up the hill behind, feeling very brave and out of breath to be honest by the time I got to the top…..well the first top anyway! I tried to do a sketch of the islands but got worried by a rather large cloud that I thought was coming my way so I slid back down being careful as I did not fancy breaking my ankle in the bog! Had a chat with two lovely cows on the way down. I got some nice shots of the village. The light was beautiful today. I must get out and paint more landscapes at home.
After meeting Mary I went for a walk on the beach, beautiful spot and got some lovely shots.
Ballinskelligs beach…..beautiful
I spent the afternoon trying to do an oil of my house here. Not the happiest with it…..maybe it will look better in the morning. I really need to practice my landscapes. I also tried the view of the islands opposite Bolus head.
All in all the more I do the more I need to do. The more I realise the need to just keep producing work