KING JOHN'S CASTLE

Here's a sneak preview of a painting I'm working on at the moment. It's a painting of King John's Castle and is my interpretation of an early ninteenth century colour printed illustration by William H.Bartlett, originally a steel engraving which would have been published uncoloured. Bartlett's engraved views were widely copied by artists but no signed oil painting of this picture, by his hand, is known.

I'm painting it for my mother-in-law who loves the print version that she has but couldn't frame it successfully because someone folded it and ruined it!!

So here's the beginning's of what will hopefully become a painting that my mother-in-law will love just as much as the print. Don't worry Nan, this isn't the finished version, it's just the underpainting!

Painting King John's Castle by Ruth Kelly, www.ruths-world.com

King John's Castle Limerick, painting by Ruth Kelly

WATCH THIS SPACE for the finished painting!

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THE IRISH PINE

I'm stepping back into 'Family Tree' mode again for a bit. My daughter says I have some very interesting people and stories in my family history and I have to agree. I've been doing a bit of research along Fergus O'Ryan 's line because of an exciting piece of information passed on to me by my second cousin...Thanks Ted! Apparently Fergus lost a brother during the war and here's how the story goes.... When hostilities broke out during World War II and Ireland had declared its neutrality during the early years of 1941, the Irish Government realised that they needed to become more independent and self-sufficient because most of its food requirements were being carried aboard allied vessels. Seán Lamass, Minister of supplies at the time (a veteran of the 1916 Rising, the War Of Independence and the Civil War and who later served as Taoiseach) felt that the creation of an Irish merchantile marine, neutral and with no military aims, was necessary. Thi...

WEDDED BLISS

Alleluia! I'm finished 'Wedded Bliss' and I couldn't be more pleased and delighted with the way it turned out. There was so much detail in it that it nearly did my nut! The curtain folds and tassels, the lace on the bodice of the dress, the intricate design on the headboard and bedspread, trying to capture the implied light coming through a window from the right, the shadows, the shading, I thought I'd never be finished. But I love it so much that I hate the thoughts of handing it over. It's like giving up my child for adoption!! 'Wedded Bliss', 16" x 20", Acrylic on Canvas I've chosen a 3" wide, smooth, satiny black finish, natural wood frame with a curvy crown profile to finish it off (thank you pictureframes.com ) and I must say, it is perfect for my painting. What do you think? I think I might use the same frame for my ' Turmoil ' as well when I'm ready to frame it. There it is, sitting pretty in the back...

More Silhouette Art by Ruth.

Here's another taster from my Silhouette Art series, I hope you like them. Keep an eye out for the boys ones coming soon.

TURMOIL

Turmoil by Ruth Kelly . (Oil on canvas board - 16"x12") Finally my first painting in oils is finished but believe it or not, will take the next 6 months or so to dry properly before I can varnish it. I'm still not sure about painting with oils. I do think the result is a softer, more dreamy painting but the waiting game is so frustrating! And now for the profound insight beneath the external ...the meaning behind my composition. Like many others, my life has been strewn with numerous tumultuous events throughout the years. Crisis and turbulence which at the time I struggled to overcome and was imprisoned in my sadness. On many occasions I would distance myself from my torment with a visit to somewhere solitary where I could lament and wallow in my despair and endulge in the pleasure of being sad. Thankfully I realised how gratuitous my melancholy was and managed to get through every storm and come out stronger the other side. This painting...

LITTLE BALLERINA

Here's something I finished recently for the Kiddies. I decided to paint it while I was waiting for ' Turmoil ' to dry because I had been asked by a few people to create some children's wall art, so this is No.1. I call it 'Little Ballerina' and am going to call the series 'Ruthie' (my nickname when I was a kid). It'll be my little 'by the way' project in between the serious stuff. Keep watching for No.2...all suggestions welcome! Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly Acrylic on box canvas. Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly