01/02/26
Canvas priming. Such a dirty floor… and then my pen decides to implode on the third line of a new art journal!
In between priming layers - want to try and finish ‘Melina Study’. It’s the robe that annoying at the moment. Too smooth - lack of texture…
‘M.S.’ finished - added subtle hint of texture and line to robe.
A strange sort of nausea…
02/02/26
…chilling.
04/02/26
Still trying to process…
On a personal note, I feel I’m getting better at distancing… …yes there are still some late night checks but it is definitely an improvement.
‘Considering Art Podcast’ - Joanna Whittle.
05/02/26
LNAB
Catalyst Members’ Show - happy with placement of ‘BWoatS’- up high, looming down on the viewer. Nice choice.
On the way home, hit in the face with milk. Stank to high heaven.
07/02/26
Third and final coat of primer on canvasses ahead of studio session tomorrow.
08/02/26
Mapping out works. Image from ‘Masque of the Red Death’ culled from seven figures down to three and a bit of fun mixing the scale of the Tirnony Dolmen. Feels huge. Medium canvas has three acetates on it. Sounds a bit much but for now, its working compositionally. The trick will be what elements to recede and which to bring forward.
11/02/26
When I’m tired, my right eye closes involuntarily.
12/02/26
Sketchbook work
19/02/26
Lunchtime visit to the Golden Thread Gallery - ‘Insight into the other’ - a collaboration with UH Gallery in Boston. Particularly fond of Nancy McCormack’s paint-manipulated photographs.
20/02/26
I had started thinking about painting ‘strategy’ when getting kids to bed last night.
Particularly the ‘Dolmen’ and the small (slightly doubled) portrait. Now, I did fall asleep mid way through something of a little eureka moment so I will try and recollect.
Want to try something with the Dolmen piece:
work on night sky first - furthest back
Build up with thin washes, skits of stars (toothbrush) and a light fade.
Elements of colours from the sky washes (pthalo, prussian, indigo hinted at in the ground / grass.
One of the hooded figures - carrying a lamp - adding energetic brushstrokes to the illuminated ground, edges of robed figures and ancient stones. DRAMA
The trick will be making the trees disappear - how they do in life when looking up at the sky at night. They aren’t a silhouette but almost an echo of what’s there - waiting to be lit or to come into focus.
Slightly thicker paint on light edges - loosen control of the brush a little.
For the ‘double portrait’: Off skin palette - again loosen grip of brush in areas, tighten in others.
Relinquish control to gain unexpected moments in the process…
22/02/26
The other night was writing - today was doing. Pretty much did what was hoped to ‘Dolmen Gathering’. Now there is an itch to possibly include something else… hint of nature / danger. The only word that seems to matter with this piece - atmosphere.
25/02/26
Eyes peeled on Venice announcement! Congratulations to Alan Phelan, Alice Maher and Rachel Fallon on invitations to ‘In Minor Keys’.
27/02/26
