The Bluegrass Painter

Sketches from Ireland

We now have a number of pieces from the Irish Art collection available as prints.  "Doolin Bridge" and others are listed under the Sketches from Ireland section of Appalachian Studio.   

Watercolor Workshops and Painting Coaching

To me, the best fun of being involved in the art world is sharing experiences and technique with other painters of all levels. To this point, most of this sharing has been through watercolor painting workshops. After each class, I have a let down because it is over. Many of the workshop painters do come back for subsequent sessions and the sensation is one of a reunion of old friends.

 

So, , I’m looking for opportunities to do more and am soliciting groups to sponsor them.

I’m also opening my studio for private and semi-private instruction in water media painting…conventional technique and some not so conventional. If any one out there is interested in doing this or getting more information, please get in touch with us at info@appalachianstudio.com.

The Bluegrass Painter is wondering if there might be some interest in a painting workshop in Ireland.  I certainly would enjoy leading a workshop there and sharing the joy of painting in one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you have an interest, please contact us at info@appalachianstudio.com.  We could do three to five days of painting and fun…followed by as much time as you’d like to spend there enjoying the people and environs.

The sun comes up early in Kinsale...

 

 

I call this an "Easy Walk" and was inspired while driving on a by way near Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

The New Eire Art Series

Back a week now and find that I have enough in my sketchbook and camera to paint for years. With that said, I thought I would share the first of my watercolor sketches with you. A jig or a reel on the Bose and brush in hand, I can almost feel the air and hear the gulls.

I call this the Afternoon Session. Cool and sunny but a good day for some tunes. 

Back Home Again

Ireland is delightful... We got back to the States Monday night. Great trip. Good music and craic in the pubs of Kinsale, Kenmare and Ennis; and, a bunch of sketches and photos to develop into my next Eire art series of paintings.

And, not the least of it are the new friends we made in each of these towns and their surrounds. My prime motivation for this trip was to learn more about traditional Irish fiddle technique. Couldn't have had a better teacher than Gill Newlyn of Kerry Fiddles, an enterprise run by Gill and her husband, Chris Liddle. They not only instructed in Irish music but introduced us to some fine musicians and singers in the Kenmare area.

Here's Eddie, Chris, me and Gill in Gill and Chris' home studio. Quite talented people these Kerry Fiddle folks. Gill is an accomplished performer in traditional Irish music as well as jazz and contemporary. Chris teaches guitar, writes music, performs as both a singer and instrumentalist and records. They are very popular as a duo. 

It was hard to leave Kenmare. But, I will put the return here on my list of highest priorities. We had the pleasure of enjoying some fine evenings at Crowley's Bar, run by Peter Crowley. Peter is a real fan, picker and singer of down home country music. Wednesday night it is all country music in Peter's Bar and we could only say thanks for them letting us join in.  These folks and places will be showing up in the new Irish paintings and I'll post them here. 

The Bluegrass Painter Goes Abroad

The Bluegrass Painter is traveling in Ireland this week, enjoying some creative inspiration for both his art and music.  Here are some photos taken around Kinsale.  I'm told William Penn spent time in this corner pub. 

 

Above is Ft. George in Kinsale.