Art Blog

Throughout creating the pictures for My Place on Canvas each day was a new adventure. I felt a thrill heading off in search of someone else’s vision of Wicklow knowing there would obstacles to overcome and challenges to be met. Knockananna was the exception to the rule, the directions were perfect and the chosen spot had enough space to park and take in the wide panorama. The adventure lay in creating the art, and the struggle to know what to put in and what to leave out. And then what to do with the shimmer of red berries on green bushes in bright autumn sunshine. The effect on my eyes was quite psychedelic so that’s what I went with.

On Sunday 23rd November 2014 I launched the “My Place on Canvas” project at the Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. It was the product of three years work and the Blurb went like this:

30 Wicklow landscapes of real people unveiled

An exhibition celebrating Wicklow landscapes where the public have decided which scenes Rod Coyne would paint. Choosing a selection of those favourite “My Places…” Rod has interpreted them in his own distinctive plein-air style. Each canvas has its very own personal back-story. These sentiments and memories will be exhibited alongside the painting.

This is an interactive project where the artist looks at the world through someone else’s eyes, and they get to see their landscape through his. People who previously were never involved in art suddenly find themselves at the heart of this unique show. The result is a compelling mix of paintings and text celebrating the stunning beauty that is Co. Wicklow.

My Place on Canvas – opening night.