Ireland, tales of a residency
January 26: Ireland, Tales of a Residency
It was July and I was selling my art at our favorite summer farmer’s market last year when my husband calls to tell me he made IT happen… We are going to IRELAND for a month! What? Amazing! I quickly wrapped up my shop, loaded the car with the kids and off we went!
Next thing I know, all four of us are walking out of the Dublin airport, all 8 hands pulling on luggage, to face the misty air of Ireland. We took it all in as we walked through a maze of walkways and parking lots to our next transport. There, I immediately took notice of the starling perched above the bus (photo) that would take us to Galway. It greeted us almost as if to say “Welcome!” I just had a strong feeling I was going to love drawing nature and wildlife here.
And so, it was many days of wonder. My family and I spent the whole month of July in a quaint Irish home with a view that overlooked acres of fields, woods, and waterways in our horizon. We shared this pocket of land with creatures like the large hare (as tall as a 2yr old), the swift and elusive red fox, and the delightful array of birds, like the colorful wood pigeon fluttering from branch to ground and back again - there was an abundance of wildlife to sketch from.
When we ventured away from the residency, we had adventures in various woodland parks, spotting mushrooms of all colors and shapes, picnicked among moss covered boulders, and spent days visiting the bustling city center to hear the street musicians, consume a lot of fish & chips and sketched among swans that outnumbered the seagulls!
One of my most memorable days were spent at a beach house in Cleggan, a small fishing town just north of Galway. There we spent our time at a little sandy cove filled with delightful treasures - taking pictures of the colorful seaweed delicately cast ashore and the variety of jellyfish beached by the low tides.
I could easily say that EVERY day we returned back to the residency’s art studio we felt the rush to pour out our inspired energy into new work. The whole family was creating art! We filled most of the walls with our sketches and paintings. It was a truly magical time for us.
Now many months have passed since Ireland and I still can’t express what a gift the time there was. It filled my artist well like no other adventure before it. So much so that I can still feel Ireland in my bones wherever I go today.
More stories and artwork from Ireland to come so stay tuned here and on my instagram! :)
