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!
05/03/26
LNAB
Seán O’Riordan at Platform
Golden Thread Gallery Boston Group Show
Paul Moore at University of Atypical
Sarah Cathers in Craft NI
Kirsty Bell at Belfast School of Art
Joseph and Simon McWilliams in Ulster Presents
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”.
