Irish Arts Blog

Carna, West of Ireland

The bus carrying the last of the renters and students is slowly pulling out of the village.

Even the seagulls seem thrilled.

Not to mention the neighbour Smiths (originally from Southhampton) in the house next door.

One of those magical autumn weekends when you have the area all to yourself.

I’m standing by the back door, at sunset, having a conversation with you about the beauty of the failing flowers.

You ask, ‘are all yellow flowers your favourite?’

I laugh and say ‘no silly, not all yellow ones!’

‘Just this one?’

“How did you guess?”

 

hanging birds

 

I have been doing these recently. They are fun to do and I love choosing the stars/crystals that hang on the end. I call them Lucky bird hanging charms and I hang them around the house.

Film Fanatic Cufflinks

These little movie reels were made for a cinema owner. I was really looking forward to doing these as the subject matter has tonnes and tonnes to generate ideas. I finally settled on the first idea (as usual!!) and created these mini-3D reels. They're set into a silver dome and set against a black resin background.

Magical Nature

by Cristina Colli

Lately I have been experimenting with digital macro photography. I did a series of composites  inspired by mosaic techniques, using my own photos as tesserae.

I am very pleased to say that "Magical Nature", a composite created with  photos taken mostly at the National Botanic Gardens, has been selected by artist Brit Hammer and published in her new book “Break Out! Your Pathway to success”.

The book, aimed at visual artists  who want to create a successful art business, is packed with full-page images of beautiful art. It is available at blurb.com and at e-junkie.com (e-book format).

Fine Art Portraiture

Ellen M McDermott

This phototograph is one of my favourites from my collection of alternative portraits which I've been working on this past year. I love the candy colours and the innocence of the girl and yes that is an Orla Kiely Tea Caddy under her arm.  Us Irish have to stick together.

I'm in the process of putting together a website to showcase the portraits in between working on commissions both in portraiture and oil painting and I'll post the website address when it's up and running if I'm still up and running myself!

Golf Cufflinks

These are sets of cufflinks that I designed with golfers in mind. Any colour resin could be used to fill in the silhouettes and I would love to have the oppurtunity to use different colours with silhouette designs like these, but the 'black' just looks so darn effective contrasting with the silver that everyone opts for the black! I've started using this brushed matt finished a lot as I reallly love the contemporary look.

November Art Giveaway

Win a Limited Edition Giclee Print of "ESPRESSO"

by Artist Emma Barone  worth € 55 

 

Click this link to enter  Espresso Print

 

Limited Edition of 40 signed & numbered by the artist.                                    
Printed Image Size: 25 x 25 cm
Paper Type: 100% Cotton Rag Paper
Ink Type: Pigmented Archival Quality Ink.
Original Media: Acrylic on Canvas 
 

The winner will be notified by email on 1st Dec 2009 - Good Luck

Glimmering Tide

 
by Cristina Colli

Glimmering Tide is part of  a series inspired by the beach at low tide. This time I explored the  way sand is sculpted by the sea, and  the play of light on the water, gathered in pools.

The piece is in 3D, with the sand in relief. I applied transparent smalti and sea glass over mirror, to enhance their reflectivity and represent water. The mirror shows through the joints, like glimmers of light.

 

Leviathan Tree

 

 

I paint primarily from imagination, this way I can capture the essence of the tree without having the expectation of it being preconceived. I spend quality time in nature, walking in the woods,  observing the colours of nature & taking in the good vibes. When I return to my studio to work I usually close my eyes & then I can see the tree in my mind’s eye. Sometimes my vision has fluorescent qualities, I try to capture this when I paint trees.

Low Tide - Reflections and Hidden Treasures

cm 30 x 26.6 Low Tide - Reflections and Hidden Treasures by Cristina Colli

A new work on my tide series. This time I used Venetian smalti, gold, shells and some recycled safety glass which I found some time ago beside a smashed phone booth.