Ireland: dresses in Wexford

Ireland: Wexford

There were two locations that we were required to paint, Enniscorthy and Wexford. Here I was, on Saturday. This was the day of the 2 hour quickdraw, and the weather was perfect for it. However, I didn't take part in it as I was working on this dress painting. The artists and public were delightedly shocked by my choice of subject, saying with big smiles, "What an original idea. Love, it." Yesterday, I went back to this shop and painted the polka-dot dress in the far window, and I guess at least one other artist, Paul, from Belfast just had to try it. He asked if I minded if he painted the same thing I was painting. I like Paul a lot, feel like I've known him a long time. He's an architect by trade, and has done some wonderful street scenes, which I haven't accomplished. I am hoping to see his dress shop painting, which has more of the shop in it than mine. I don't know if I'm hoping to see it in the show, which starts at 2:30 for the collector's preview, public at 3:00, and awards at 4:00 pm.

Ireland: Guinness

I love to see the pints all lined up on the bar. The barman at Macken's (the Undertaker bar), took the tap apart for us one day to show us what makes Guinness so thick and creamy. It's all in the tap. He poured a little into a glass without the special cap and it was crap, like thin horrible water.

Ireland: Enniscorthy, soft grassy stuff

The top of the rocky coastline at Enniscorthy was covered with this long grassy stuff that was as soft and cushiony as a nice mattress. It was strange but fun to walk on. Maybe my dear brother-in-law, Paul, knows if it has a name other than grass. It must be awfully dangerous, as well, because there are signs saying, "Danger, becareful of blow holes."

Ireland: Wexfors, The Loft

We've been out all around the county each day, with little time to paint in Wexford itself. Yesterday, we were here all day, and after ordering two frames and buying some painting panels, I headed for The Loft, and painting the dress shop window!

Ireland: Hook Head Lighthouse

Monks, in the 500's were the first to light a fire here. This lighthouse is the oldest continuously used lighthouse in the world. It was grey and heavy rain when we first arrived, but the day turned gloriously sunny, with just a few sun showers.

Ireland: a courtyard in Clonegal

Got a better signal this morning so sending more photos. After a day of painting, the pub's a gathering place. And at times a painting place. Mark, an American now living in Florence for 20 years, taught a workshop on this day. He's an outstanding painting and certainly understands value and 50 shades of grey, not the book, you know. On this evening he wiped off his painting. I wiped one out yesterday. Lynn, from Alexandria, VA is painting. And Jayne sitting, who I met in Vegas earlier in the year, had a great day painting with her pastel mentor. I really need to look up the last names.

Ireland: Wexford night painting

It stays light until around 9:30 pm, with twilight at 10:00 pm. I painted from the bridge, an 8 x 6" in half hour, then crossed the bridge for the full moon. By the time I got started the moon was hidden behind clouds. I should have waited until it was fully dark and the view magnificent.

Ireland: Enniscorthy and sun!

Yesterday we were in Enniscorty, a town built on a steep hillside, and the streets thickly lined with houses and shops. I turned to look back at the top of a street and saw vinegar hill across the river, with distant clouds rising behind. It was windy at the top, and a lady offered us coffee and biscuits. A great morning of plein air painting.

Ireland: Enniscorthy and sun!

It was a crackin' day yesterday. No long underwear, put my rain coat on for only five minutes. I was extremely tired yesterday, but a few cups of tea with some black pudding, sun made for a happy morning. Enniscorthy is built on a steep hillside. The streets are lined with houses and shops. I turned to look back when we reached the top, and saw Vinegar Hill in the distance, with clouds rising from behind.

Ireland: Wexford weather, Friday morning

Rain, the heaviest yet. It can't be Ireland if we're not talking rain! And we're heading for the Hook Head Lighthouse.

Ireland: New Ross

Last Sunday afternoon we traveled from Waterford to Wexford, with a stop in the middle to visit the Dunbrody 'coffin ship'. These sailing ships carried many starving Irish off the island for a 'better life', which for 50% of those, meant death at sea. Already weakened by the famine, and 50 days in cramped and the filthy conditions below deck for 23-1/2 hours a day, death by typhus or cholera was no stranger, and the bodies were dumped overboard.

Ireland: Art in the Open, Clonegal

Sending to my blog is difficult as signals here often aren't strong enough for transmission.Yesterday, we traveled to a village with a castle. For a second, and last time, I tried to paint a stone bridge. The light and simple shapes grabbed me, but the brief spell of light changed to wind and showers, and I was back under the blue raincoat.

Ireland: Day 2, Kilmore Quay, part 2

My painting attire for yesterday was: underwear, full set of silk underwear, a long sleeve cotton shirt and sweat pants, long cotton sweater, lightweight rain coat, socks, hiking boots, and over all of that, a plastic Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist rain coat.

Ireland: Art in the Open, Day 2 Kilmore Quay

Whew, rain most of the day, in this beautiful small fishing village, with 13 thatched cottages. This is the view I painted.

Ireland: Art in the Open, day 1

I attempted to paint this pub yesterdat, but the painting is nothing to write home about.  Inishtioge, a lovely small village locked up tight until around 11:00 am, when the pubs opened.

Ireland, Art in the Open, wine reception

Sunday evening withe the major, dressed in his chain of office. Fun evening meeting artists, and putting a face to those I'd only emailed with.

Ireland: Art in the Open preview

Painting in Wexford the day before the competition started.

Ireland: Art in the Open, Sunday painting and reception

We arrived in Wexford about 3:30pm yesterday. Our room wasn't ready, so we went out for a walk around to see a bit of the town. There are some very interesting boats, shops, and historic sites. I found some things on one street near by that I thought would make great paintings, and the weather was superb, so we went back to the car and got my 6x8" magnetic pochade box. I just couldn't miss painting the Bar & Undertaker, and then had to go in for a pint of Guinness.

Then back to White's Hotel where the artist's were gathering for the meet and greet wine reception. I met the mayor of Wexford, and asked for a photo, especially since he was wearing his chain of office!

I have so much to tell and share about our first two days here - complete with gorgeous weather, but this is the first time I've been able to get a signal strong enough to send to my blog.

We are off for dinner and 'a painter's pint night in T. Morris Bar. Hope to have enough energy to blog when we get back.

Ireland: Art in the Open

Just about to head out for our first day of painting with a full Irish breakfast under my belt, and I'm sure on my hips, as well.