Storm
At this time of year, from where I live the lights of surrounding towns and cities can be seen. Not only at night but on stormy dark afternoons.. In rural Ireland, it is part and parcel of life that people leave the area and move to the towns and cities for college or work. Those who are left behind look at the twinkling lights, remembering that last summer.
This was going to be a knife painting. Although a small painting (12″x10″), after a few minutes I was irritated by the slowness and tedium of spreading the paint, so I reached for the brushes. The scene in the painting is similar to a previous painting, ruins of old 18th century farms alongside present day farm life. In the blobs of paint I’ve tried to suggest details which are discoverable and not immediately obvious.
The colours were different from recent paintings. The red was represented by Raw Umber, a rich brown with only a hint of red. Yellow Ochre, also very dull as a yellow, and Cerulean Blue, also a weak colour. There was also of course, black and white. These colours gave a particular feel to the painting. At this time of year, brown colour predominates. I did not use any medium until the fine lines were needed. This was a bit tedious as well, but I was after a ‘rough’ look, also in keeping with the scene. The video is included in this post and also a poem on the same theme as the painting.
STORM
The storm had watched them through Summer
and now, skirting the bogland
found some loose metal sheeting
thrashing itself to death.
While prayers were said by those at home
every jagged edge was screaming
high above the house
where storms pass on
to fall lightly like a murmur
down the misty flat windows of Rathmines.
PictureS 
Time lapse video was very interesting!
I like this as though even the storm is left out of the progress of people from lonely farm to twinkling city. On Sunday I went to the arts store and bought a 5 tubes of oil paint, Liquin, and some spirits. By simplifying matters, you’ve inspired me to start up with oils again. Thanks!
That’s great, good luck with the painting.
absolutely amazing !
Beautiful work.
Thank you.
Had you not visited my blog, I would not have found yours! I have spent a great deal of time reading your previous posts and fully intend to spend a great deal more here! Thank you for yet another perspective!
Glad you enjoyed.
A beautifully atmospheric painting – and lovely poem too! I envy your ‘loose’ approach!
Christine
Very dramatic painting, & I like the poem.
love.
The poem is a strong accompaniment to a wonderful painting!
Your poetry is great, so this is indeed a fine compliment. Thank you.
My Uncle lived in Ireland for quite a while in Broughshane, he was a painter too. You have that same sense of atmosphere. Cheers Sue from Australia.
Your uncle lived in a lovely part of the country, he had loads of inspiration.
Thank you so much for liking my Pissarro’s Places facebook page. From you website, I see that you choose much the same motifs as Pissarro–the common place. It was fascinating to watch your video of the storm painting.
Best wishes,
Ann Saul
artbookannex.com
Thank you Ann, glad you enjoyed.
Thank you! This was wonderful. I plan to copy a link to my blog for others to find you and learn from you. What a fantastic teaching tool. Good work!
Thank you, and thanks for the links. Art is about sharing, and nowadays the web allows the artist to share, not only the image, but a lot more. I think the onus is on every artist to share ‘everything’. It should be done, because it can be done.
Hi, thanks for liking my post on Madame Walker. I love your work and explanations. A real teacher is hard to find.
Best.
That’s so pretty, and what a good idea the youtube video is!
Thanks Madeleine, lots of interesting things on your site.
Thank you!
This is lovely.