Skylines III

Description

• Limited Edition Irish landscape Giclée Print
• Donegal skyline
• First edition of 25
• Each one numbered and signed by the artist.
• Image size (approx.) 75 x 50 cm
• Paper Size (approx.) 81 x 56 cm
• Framed size* (approx.) 92 x 68 x 3 (deep) cm
• Off white wooden frame, soft off-white mount (with glass)

This small work has recently had a massive impact. Originally created in winter 2021 for an art exhibition, entitled “Art in Your Pocket”, an exhibition of small artworks from internationally based artists at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, it kept me company in my studio for a few years. Work can be like that. You make it and it sits with you for a while before it decides to move on.

Available as a limited edition large print (posted in rolled format) and as a framed print (collection only).

The original artwork is now in the collection of intensely talented musician and radio broadcaster Oisin Leech. The image adorns the cover of his debut solo album ‘Cold Sea’ which, I’m delighted to say, has been a massive hit. Delighted in two ways as firstly, his music is wistful and mysterious, filled with ideas of longing and belonging and I adore that. Secondly, because it has brought my own work before the eyes of so many thoughtful and appreciative people. This is something that can be difficult for an unknown rural artist from the remote hills and coast of Donegal. So, as you can imagine I am very grateful to Oisin for thinking of me.

After a short conversation by phone one morning, several emails and messages to and fro, we formed a beautiful, creative friendship and a great appreciation of each other’s creative flow.

Listening to Oisin’s work for the first time brought me to thoughts of Spacemen 3 – Ode To Street Hassle and Transparent Radiation, and ghostly memories of standing in the Limelight, Belfast listening to Spiritualized in the early 90’s… or it may have been the Ulster Hall. While there are great comparisons to the works of Nike Drake, whom I also love, I can hear a mixed myriad of undertones to Oisin’s music, giving me nothing but confidence that this is just the beginning for his solo adventures.

‘Skylines III’ is part of a series of paintings which focus on translating my sense of deep connection with the space between land and sky through gestural mark making and open creative flow. I wanted to use bold lines and sweeping movements without too much editing, to capture the essence of how I experience the landscape, sky and coastline around my home in Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

These small paintings were created from memory. It is my solid belief that when you grow up in a landscape, walk the land and feel part of it, when you travel through it every day noticing the subtle changes in season and weather, it filters into your very being, you and it can come to a cognitive understanding of each other.

While the other paintings in the series did some of what I had hoped, ‘Skylines III’ was the pinnacle of that experience for me.

I would like to thank Neil McGrory for connecting myself and Oisin, and Steve Gunn for his kind words about my work and his song ‘Morning has mended’, written in memory of his father, which reminded me so eloquently of my own father’s passing in May 2022. Sometimes the sky can hold us so close, giving comfort, solace and a wider perspective on life. It can remind us of the great beauty of being.