Adventures at Home and Abroad

I just think the colors of this cup are delicious. So many greens and blues, warm and cool.

I’m not the only creative one in this house. John built me the most beautiful bar cabinet, walnut with a clear stain. It’s gorgeous!

It’s pretty great being a great aunt. I get to have all the fun! Reading Green Eggs and Ham, of course!

 The cocktail series of lessons required a steady hand. The painter has to get the glassware right! If it’s wonky, the painting just looks stupid. I’m pretty happy with these.

 

I’ve started painting a few pet portraits and have decided that my biggest challenge so far is worrying that I’ll upset the owners! What if I get it totally wrong? EEEK. Oh well, I need to practice and practice some more. Norbert. Mittens (RIP). Jack (RIP).

I’ve got a long way to go, but I think I captured Peanut’s personality here.  

I loved Bantry. And Killarney was the jumping off point for some of those tiny roads of your nightmares. But you had to take those roads to see the sea. The view from our hotel outside of Killarney. Sublime. Molly Gallivan’s Visitor Center, on the road to Kenmare. Bantry House 100 year old wisteria…a theme. Dingle Peninsula.

 Our travels to the south and west hugged the coast mostly, except for the Rock of Cashel. Cork, Cobh, Bantry.  Someday, we’ll see it all in sunshine. But that’s a different trip. The view from Garnish Island. 100 year old rhododendrons, anyone? The cathedral in Cobh, the last stop of the Titanic. Rock of Cashel. So ancient.

Three weeks in Ireland and “The North” and the weather gods weren’t necessarily our friends this time. Mostly chilly and misty, so full of atmospherics but not always the best for photos or our moods. As usual, the people are so friendly, the food fresh and delicious, and the scenery breathtaking. Belfast, so interesting and full of tragic history. Along the Irish Sea. Back in the Republic, Glendalough.

 

 I'm not unhappy with this one at all!

  I started taking online painting classes and it's been challenging! Learning to mix colors again, figuring out that I have to practice to actually produce something I like (duh). And, of course, remembering to view my work with a critical eye, to make it better! (Not beat on myself.)

 More practice ...