My Cill Rialaig Diary.
Day 4, Thursday 5th March 2009
I get out early today. The cold northwest wind is still blowing showers of rain and hail.
Painting at Finnans Bay.
I find a spot above the beach at St. Finan’s Bay and set up my easel facing Bolus Head. The sea is reflecting silver and white into my eyes and the headland is in silhouette – I am worried it will make a very monochrome image. But by the time I have sketched an outline the sun had moved around to turn the surf a rich turquoise, blue colour with bright sunlit wave crests.
There’s a little black dog on the beach chasing the stones the tourists and day-trippers throw for him. The people come and go; just the dog and myself remain. Lost for a playmate he brings up a stone and delicately lays it on the floor of the van, beside my palette, for me to throw. I would dearly love to play but I know if I begin there’ll be no end and I won’t get my painting done. Fortunately the next hire-car soon arrives and the occupants are charmed when he tosses the stone at their feet. They probably think he is my dog.
My timing is perfect and as I complete the last palette knife stroke the rain hits again. I retreat into the van and work on an oil sketch looking out the side door. I pack up before the sun sets and head back to the village cold, tired and hungry, and very, very happy.
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