Art Journal

Art Journal: March 2026

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01/03/26

Raw umber / warm grey for walls. Prussian blue was over top hat. Burnt sienna / reds / pinks. Sage green = pacing figure.

Thought I would’ve gotten further ahead than I did but then when I came down home with a sour head on me, have since been told that it was plenty. That was right of course. I just think the images in my head, or the projected outcome wasn’t matching reality, In hindsight, of course there’s been movement. Tonal work on mid-sized canvas - the ground work of the colouring blocks are done.

For the small double portrait, using the lines in the hidden self-portrait to create structure behind (and possible in front) the female portrait.

Sometimes there isn’t (well to be honest, its nearly 99%) that magic spark when working - where a single mark can bring a work to life. Today was a grind and that’s OK. It’s whats needed. Still need to turn up, put paint down and work through problems as they arise. That’s the joy and the fear.

04/03/26

Dublin. Maryam Tafakory “Daria’s Night Flowers” in the Project Art Centre. Next, on to the RHA to catch the Hennessy Craig and Homan Potterton Awards 2026. Stand outs - Eileen Leonard Sealy, Daniel Coieman and Manar Mervat Al Shouha. Wonderful work!

Kirsty Bell’s work is absolutely stunning; the merging of layers and the unusual presentation (on poles, curtains) adds to theatricality and draws you in.

07/03/26

A classic case of teetering on the edge of over-painting - Small double portrait. The elements that I think are working are currently out-weighed by isn’t. Tonally, it’s OK, a little flat at present, I think its the application of the paint and the colour scheme that’s off at the moment.

13/03/26

“Non Squeal Killers” - “A Tacitun Mask”

15/03/26

In the studio. Back and forth once again on the small canvas. One minute I think a problem is resolved, then an impulse to go in the opposite direction takes hold. Not sure where this comes from or why.

It could be my idea of the finalised idea is split between accuracy of the source material and leaning into the more expressive immediacy that the intial drawings derive from.

Third session on this. I think if things don’t clean up after the next session, it will be a case of putting it against the wall for a while before tackling it again with fresh(er) eyes.

18/03/26

“Fate rebuked him with a terrible swiftness”.

22/03/26

Studio and a little impromptu photo shoot!

There was a point in the morning where I thought I was going to ruin it all.

Now, it is definitely not what I initially envisaged but for the process and danger that this wee canvas has gone through, it’s not in a bad space. It’s as good as I can do with how it has gone previously. So, a long, drawn out way of saying. It’s downing tools time on “Thought Gathering”.

Now, thoughts to gather towards….

Lists need made up.

29/03/26

There was no painting or drawing this weekend. A little respite didn’t do any harm.

Art Journal: February 2026

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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

Sketchbook work - late night - finishing off sketches that were started mid-week.

Art Journal: January 2026

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01/01/26

HNY. Here is to a fruitful, productive and peaceful 2026!

03/01/26

04/01/26

First studio day of the year. Nice bit of structuring to ‘Milena Study’ face.

05/01/26

Late night sketching

06/01/26

Golden Thread Gallery visit at lunchtime. Azzedine Saleck’s 'The Border That Crossed Me' - haunting spectral figures rendered in gold leaf.

​Sharon Murphy’s 'Mise en Abyme' plays with the ‘uncanny’ through theatrical settings and the clever masquerading of material.

08/01/26

The Rispin Curse.

10/01/26

“The innovations in the painting come from the parameters I set within the practice”

Tim Benson

11/01/26

Wrapping up “BWoatS” for Catalyst Show.

13/01/26

Visit to Ulster Presents to see part I of MFA ‘Prologue’ show.

15/01/26

Some very late night sketching. Must get a decent R.

17/01/26

Derry visit. Guildhall Taphouse Studios - so great to see space for artists of this ilk in the NW especially after the news through the week elsewhere.

VOID - Barbara Steveni retrospective ‘I Find Myself’. A privilege to learn more about her lifelong commitment to the intersection of art and activism.

Rounding up with CCA - ‘It’s Not Clear From Here’. A wonderful show where curator Ashleigh Wilson has beautifully brought together three artists that weave common threads throughout the gallery space.

A lovely phone call on the way to the bus (“There’s one more thing I have to tell you…”).

18/01/26

Stretching large canvas - lots and lots of staples. Now for a bit more time with ‘Milena Study’…

Took a big swing so fingers crossed that fresh eyes in a day or two will see progress rather than a step back. I’ve a feeling it’s both, in different areas.

19/01/26

…first thought is “how the **** is this going to work?”. Polar opposites. Need to chew it over.

24/01/26

Looking at the duality of external vs internal?

25/01/26

A ton of sketchbook work. Drama…. not playing nice. Good news and bad news in the end up.

27/01/26

The MAC over lunchtime. “The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return”. Wow, just wow. A powerful show. Deeply moving - caught myself holding tears back walking around the gallery. The show demands you sit with it and witness it. Definitely won’t be the last visit. Raed Issa’s capturing of life in constant displacement - reminded me of Käthe Kollwitz but with a raw immediacy.

28/01/26

Dublin. 'The Last Balkan Cowboy' by Dragana Jurišić in Temple Bar Gallery and Studios. I saw Harry Dean Stanton. In Photo Museum Ireland was 'Empathy Machine' Maija Tammi. Poor wee locust. Rounded up with ‘Passages’ by Siobhán McDonald in the LAB Gallery.