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Paintings from Nature

FLOWERS

Description: Art in the gardens is a biennial project conceived by the renowned plantsman Seamus O’Brien of the National Botanic
Gardens in Kilmacurragh. Six artists were initially invited to record and paint various aspects of Kilmacurragh, for an exhibition at
Glasnevin. The exhibition is moved every two years to other well-known gardens throughout Ireland with more artists being added,
to celebrate these wonderful gardens and homes.
These works were painted over a few summers at home and finally completed at the inspirational, artistic and beautiful Burtown
Gardens, thanks to Lesley Fennell’s encouragement. Am also grateful to the Fennell Family and their Team in Co.Kildare for such a
caring welcome.
Each painting is framed in waxed and limed solid ash and with museum glass by Fine Framers in Carlow.
Museum Glass is ultra clear, non-reflective and UV protected.



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Title: Bluebells from home

Medium: oil on old hand-primed board

Year: 2021

Size: 30x26.5cm unframed

Description: Bluebells grow all around my home, native and non-native.


Three of five sister paintings:


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Title: Summer days at Burtown

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 100x40cm unframed / 136x73cm framed

Title: And then there were two

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 100x40cm unframed / 136x73cm framed

Title: Glory Days

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 100x40cm unframed / 136x73cm framed

Oriental Poppies


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Description: These works were each painted directly from life outside my home.
Each painting is framed in waxed and limed solid ash and with museum glass by Fine Framers in Carlow. Museum Glass is ultra clear,
non-reflective and UV protected.


Title: Oriental Poppies 1

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 31x26cm unframed / 53.5x46.5cm framed

Title: Oriental Poppies 11

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 31x26cm unframed / 53.5x46.5cm framed

Title: Oriental Poppies 111

Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 31x26cm unframed / 53.5x46.5cm framed

Others

Title: Sweet Yellow Pansies


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Medium: oil on hand-primed linen

Size: 20cmx20cm

Description: Exhibited in King House during the Boyle Arts Festival. The wind was very still, each flower a character and glowing in the sun.


Title: Roses in July


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Medium: oil on hand-primed linen

Size: 20x20cm

Description: This work was painted after tea-time one summer’s day…


Title: Blue Delta


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Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 20x20cm

Description: Delta Blue pansies lived in an earthen pot outside my door, planted there by me. In this work partially hidden painting layers
are visible. Several attempts at creating work are often scraped away and then I begin work again, it's nice when they become part of
the painting process too.


Title: Summer Delta Blues


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Medium: oil on handprimed fine grain linen

Size: 20x20cm

Description: Traffic was slow and the long drive home from work in Dublin was hot and uncomfortable. The Delta Blue Pansies outside
my door, near Athy in Co. Kildare, were bathed in sunshine and swaying in a gentle breeze. This work was created whilst painting the
flowers late that summer's evening. My painting is a simple expression of joy and all its’ edgy ways


Title: Three Sunflowers in my studio


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Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 20x20cm

Description: This work was exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy185th Exhibition.
Sunflowers from the garden, the season was over and I created this work directly from life, in my studio.


Title: Summer roses


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Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 18 x 23cm

Description: Exhibited at the Dunlavin festival of Art in Co. Wicklow. Painted directly from life in the garden on a summer’s evening


Title: Violets in Blue


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Medium: oil on hand-primed fine grain linen

Size: 20x20cm

Description: Blue violets symbolise true love, death and the resurrection. For me blue violets are a hopeful flower, both delicate and
strong. This was my first completed oil-painting following the death of my father earlier that year. Violets in Blue was painted directly
from life in my studio.


Title: Silver Poppy


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Medium: oil on hand-primed and hand-stretched linen

Size: 36cmx36cm

Description: This work was exhibited and purchased from the Lavelle Gallery in Clifden.


Title: Bluebells


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Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 40x 30cm

Description: Bluebells painted directly from life at home, I cannot remember the exact colour now but possibly experimenting with hookers
or cinnabar green.


Title: Poppy in silver


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Medium: oil on hand-primed and hand-stretched linen

Size: 36cmx36cm

Description: The poppy leaf fell away before there was time to paint it.


Title: Blue Violets


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Medium: oil on hand-primed fine linen

Size: 20cm x 20cm

Description: Painted in my studio in winter, directly from life.


Title: Apple tree in early May


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Medium: oil on Italian primed panel

Size: 21x24cm

Description: Exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition 2012.
Apple blossoms were abundant in 2011. In late April of the same year it was warm enough to work outdoors. Painting an apple tree
from the field at home, the blackbird and me watched each other closely, here was his place too.


Title: Winter bouquet


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Medium: oil on primed paper

Size: 55cm x 43cm

Description: Receiving a bouquet of flowers in winter is a pleasure.