Art Blog

Day 5, Friday 6^th March 2009

Painting on Ballinskelligs Pier.

I wake early, clear headed and ready to paint. I look out the window to see the mountains are playing peek-a-boo in a mist and the fog is still being blown in by the northwest winds. I get going straight away, and head for Cahirsiveen to get some bits and pieces I missed last Monday. It’s a chance to stop off at the Point (Reenard); my mother’s family came from here. There are great views of Knightstown and surrounding headlands ‘over the water’ on Valentia Island. But the fog makes it too grey and distant to paint with any definition. I need to get closer to my target.

At least now I do know where I need to go to get really close to the landscape, and I head for the Ballinskellings pier. I set up and paint a panoramic view of Hog’s Head through the gap between Horse Island and the mainland. I don’t use a brush at all, but instead trowel the paint on with a palette knife. Quickly the layers build up and the rocks and wave crests stand proud on the canvas. Its textural and tactile and I like it.

I have parked my van at my back so as to block the wind but after a few hours I am cold and ready for home. As soon as I arrive friends Becky and John drop in for a short visit on their way back from a dusk walk. I light the stove when they go. John from Glasgow knocks at the door to see if I want to come to the pub. I am tempted but I decide to stay home and continue painting whilst polishing my halo.