I have been back
from my Ireland
residency for a few weeks now-in body at least. What a magical setting to stir
the imagination! I can’t seem to articulate all that the experience has left in
my being, but I won’t hurry the unfolding either. Time spent living and working
at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre has deeply affected me on many levels and will
continue to do so.
Brave heart(study) mixed media on mylar, 20x 34in, 2012
I have met colourful characters, spinning myth and truth woven and worn by families that have lived on the land for generations. As
well, stories shared by fellow artists, musicians, composers and playwrights at
Annaghmakkerrig deeply enriched my own spirit. The noise of
life can really muffle our sensibilities and when it is removed the soul speaks
about what is truly relevant.
As far as
making art, I did delve into new work and it was great to have the much needed
time to do research. I am still processing and distilling all that I have
learned but was surprised at how engrossed I became with Ireland’s
political and religious history and how deeply intertwined they are. Because of
my interest in agriculture I started reading
about the great famine -or ‘Black 47’ as it was more aptly named.
Black 47, study, oil/wax on canvas, 8x10in
Admittedly I
did not know much about it so was appalled and horrified when I learned that-in
a very general nutshell- thousands of poor rural families were dying in their
homes while food grown from Irish soil was being shipped to England for profit. The study above
was in response to words by Liam ó Comáin that very much resonated
with me:
It was not what they
called it
For the latter is born from nature
And therefore not man made.
This was man made-
In fact an attempt by non natives
To end a race via genocide.
Thousands upon thousands dead
Thousands upon thousands forced
Into exile across the globe.
And for what- four green fields
Whose produce was exported
As men, women, and children starved.
Of course the potato was blighted
But corn and other produce left our
Shores while inhumanity was confirmed.
Liam ó Comáin
Annaghmakkerrig is only a few miles from Northern Ireland
and this close proximity kindled my
on-going fascination with Ireland’s
political history. One evening I was privy to engage in a lengthy conversation
with someone who had participated in the IRA during ‘the Toubles’ and it was fascinating
to learn, first hand, about growing up during
such a dangerous time of turmoil and political unrest.
The Troubles, mixed media on mylar, 24x30in, 2012
And on a more optimistic and wondrous note I have developed a keen interest
in the symbols of the Megalithic
Passage Tombs at
Loughrew and
Newgrange, built
by Neolithic farming communities about 5000 years ago!
The passage tombs have
clear astronomical alignments such as the Winter Solstice Sunrise at
Newgrange and the Equinox
Sunrise at Loughcrew.
I will continue to investigate…as well I have become
fascinated with Irelands’ protective and protected faery forts and the magical and
mysterious power
of the hawthorn tree.
So all in all I feel
that I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. It was to be a time of transition,
to find my way-perhaps a new way and I
will continue to learn about Ireland-the
people, the land, the myth, the song.
Thank you to all that followed this daily journey on my other blog and a heartfelt thank you to those who took the time to leave comments.
Now that I am back home, I have been taking advantage
of this gorgeous weather to get out and do some plein air work. I wondered if I
would be inspired to keep on with it after my trip and happy to report that it
is in my blood- I will always go out into this beautiful land and paint.
Go n-éirà an bóthar leat
may the road rise to meet you
