tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62964854852314021152012-01-27T00:07:19.257-08:00A Blog by Visual Artist Greg Long. Featuring some of Gregs Paintings and other art.Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-8657082747085966232012-01-11T10:21:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:51:32.669-08:002012-01-11T10:51:32.669-08:00<div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSH4Kj4Svnc/Tw3T-6jHA9I/AAAAAAAABAI/NF1cRmvo_oQ/s1600/DSCF0678.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696442181515412434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSH4Kj4Svnc/Tw3T-6jHA9I/AAAAAAAABAI/NF1cRmvo_oQ/s320/DSCF0678.JPG" /></a>I took a trip to Glendalough yesterday. I took my camera down to take reference photos for my commission. I let Eoin drive me down and back in his car, and while we were there, he </div><div>called into the visitor centre to meet another PHD student who works there. I had never been into the interpretive center before, but it was well worth a visit, and they only charge one euro entry, which is for nothing really.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>I found the light a little akward though when <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2FfbDGeqhg/Tw3V9KgEi7I/AAAAAAAABAg/acjxgxsnfvY/s1600/DSCF0614a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696444350461152178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2FfbDGeqhg/Tw3V9KgEi7I/AAAAAAAABAg/acjxgxsnfvY/s320/DSCF0614a.JPG" /></a></div>walking around. It had a silvery grey look, washing out much of the colour. Allied to that, was the fact that there was a misty look to the more distant hillsides. I gave up trying to get a photo of the church and tower through the trees because the stonework was invisible behind the tree branches, or at least the tree branches were invisible in front of the stone buildings.</div><div> </div><div>Either way, I have decided my painting is going to take quite a lot of planning. I have my canvas and other supplies all lined up ready for action. However it will have to wait until after tomorrow, I am getting some more root-canal work done at the Dentist in the afternoon. This will be followed by a little more travelling to meet up with a friend, and the retrieval of my left behind fishing hat. Yes, the new season is fast approaching. </div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2FfbDGeqhg/Tw3V9KgEi7I/AAAAAAAABAg/acjxgxsnfvY/s1600/DSCF0614a.JPG"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3g2VOBF9hTI/Tw3V8YqEq3I/AAAAAAAABAU/PJx1XlKGiZ4/s1600/DSCF0607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696444337081330546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3g2VOBF9hTI/Tw3V8YqEq3I/AAAAAAAABAU/PJx1XlKGiZ4/s320/DSCF0607.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-865708274708596623?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com2http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2012/01/trip-to-st-kevins-tower-glendalough.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-34532051921716869362012-01-04T05:30:00.000-08:002012-01-04T05:43:55.527-08:002012-01-04T05:43:55.527-08:00<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qg5ZTCEyM0U/TwRUmSSsC8I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Z_AA_3W3Xn0/s1600/DSCF0567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 536px; height: 508px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693768845625134018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qg5ZTCEyM0U/TwRUmSSsC8I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Z_AA_3W3Xn0/s320/DSCF0567.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is the finished painting from before Christmas, somehow it was missing from my uploaded images in my previous post. I am thinking about returning to work tomorrow. I have had a very pleasant Christmas and new year, but now it's time to work, I have another commission to start. I had intended starting last week, but the art supply shop was closed over the holidays and I need to buy a canvas for it. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rOtJ3EVpMA/TwRWkXq0JlI/AAAAAAAAA_8/4dv1cc_FU5Q/s1600/DSCF0555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693771011732022866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rOtJ3EVpMA/TwRWkXq0JlI/AAAAAAAAA_8/4dv1cc_FU5Q/s320/DSCF0555.JPG" /></a></div><div>Today however, I think Dubh has the right idea...</div><div>it seems like a duvet day to me too. </div><div> </div><div>Wishing all my friends a happy and prosperous new year, spring is around the corner.<br /> </div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-3453205192171686936?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-45190737138503314662011-12-23T14:00:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:21:33.011-08:002011-12-23T14:21:33.011-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfPEa513_kM/TvT7-SlxDsI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/E5lvBlLnb0M/s1600/DSCF0470.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfPEa513_kM/TvT7-SlxDsI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/E5lvBlLnb0M/s320/DSCF0470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689449276836482754" /></a>I have a steady stream of finches to my bird-seed feeder outside the window. Chaffinches, lots of Goldfinches and a regular flock of Redpolls.<div>Already, only 3 weeks into the "feeding season" (cold winter) I am already feeding a full feeder of bird-seed every day.</div><div> In the meantime the tits are happily eating sunflower seeds out the back from another feeder, and the Greenfinches seem to prefer the peanuts to the seed feeder.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At least the Redpolls eat most of the seed that the Goldfinches chuck away looking for the Niger Seed amongst the other varieties.</div><div><br /></div><div><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuJvgQhm4Bk/TvT79amBp7I/AAAAAAAAA_A/oglmoVnWrS4/s320/DSCF0478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689449261805184946" /><br />In the winter we usually get a wide variety of birds to our feeders, but so far this year there are very few other species yet. This is probably due to the mild weather we have had so far, when it gets colder it will force many birds further south and west to our more moderate climate.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz1BrZiF2Y8/TvT9kq4eY7I/AAAAAAAAA_k/BPaWjdBF-Zs/s320/DSCF0453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689451035704058802" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-4519073713850331466?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/12/winter-feeding.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-85235242612767986142011-12-11T09:51:00.000-08:002011-12-11T10:47:14.090-08:002011-12-11T10:47:14.090-08:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErJmqMxsnQs/TuTu0ThxOiI/AAAAAAAAA-g/UxKM5iH3FtE/s1600/8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 315px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684931212010928674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErJmqMxsnQs/TuTu0ThxOiI/AAAAAAAAA-g/UxKM5iH3FtE/s320/8.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I have just finished (well almost) my last commission for Christmas. It is a view of Glenmacnass in Co. Wicklow, 1 meter square.</div><div>I have one or two little touches I wish to do, but in the main it is finished now.</div><div> </div><div>I have photographed it along the way so you can see the work in progression, from the original sketch/design to the finished piece.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LshhcwsOiAw/TuTu0NRR2cI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/xu_LNNAm8co/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 315px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684931210331150786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LshhcwsOiAw/TuTu0NRR2cI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/xu_LNNAm8co/s320/1.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is the Graphite sketch I worked from, giving me my composition and design.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The next stage was drawing and blocking in on the canvas with thin washes of oil paint.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5FcaU-WFHk/TuTuzotnBAI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/l2S63rqcBZ0/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 310px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684931200517866498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5FcaU-WFHk/TuTuzotnBAI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/l2S63rqcBZ0/s320/2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>followed swiftly by blocking in my base colours before rechecking my composition against reference photographs. Sadly it is too wintry to try to work on site at this time of year.</div><div> </div><div><br /><div<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2wVNdMiuiU/TuTuzfPzfDI/AAAAAAAAA-A/4wDE_6FHw8w/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 317px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684931197976935474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2wVNdMiuiU/TuTuzfPzfDI/AAAAAAAAA-A/4wDE_6FHw8w/s320/3.jpg" /></a></div<div></div><div<div></div<div></div><p><div<div></div<div> </p><p><div<div></div<div> </p><p><div<div></div<div> </p><p><div<div> </div<div></p><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />This was followed by further blocking in and a little re-drawing, mainly in the area of the waterfall and the larch trees to the top left.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnMsOwPhc4o/TuTuzMsseHI/AAAAAAAAA90/G9-M2tKxqBM/s1600/3a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 318px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684931192997836914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnMsOwPhc4o/TuTuzMsseHI/AAAAAAAAA90/G9-M2tKxqBM/s320/3a.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MG_i0VQHrFY/TuTuga3gx2I/AAAAAAAAA9o/VKNV3DvRMjg/s1600/4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 317px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684930870383789922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MG_i0VQHrFY/TuTuga3gx2I/AAAAAAAAA9o/VKNV3DvRMjg/s320/4.JPG" /></a></div><div>This is a continuation of the blocking in process in the foreground, and I have been adding texture around the midground areas.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7yTxTtGY2U/TuTuf17-FaI/AAAAAAAAA9c/PdwU59ualTQ/s1600/5.jpg"></a> </p><p> </p><div>This is followed by further detail being added throughout the painting and adding more definition to the blocks of colour. <br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzsCTPTxNiE/TuTufr5csDI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/araB7w2EG2E/s1600/6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 318px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684930857775444018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzsCTPTxNiE/TuTufr5csDI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/araB7w2EG2E/s320/6.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7esjgsclCY/TuTufPRf0JI/AAAAAAAAA9E/C5lrrT6hmA4/s1600/7.JPG"></a> </div></div><div>From here I have begun to finish off areas of the painting, mainly around the mid ground and the road and hedgerow leading to the cottage. I have also added life to the cottage roof.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7esjgsclCY/TuTufPRf0JI/AAAAAAAAA9E/C5lrrT6hmA4/s1600/7.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0L0ULz15F0/TuTufD0ACNI/AAAAAAAAA84/pKuNFhF0IXo/s1600/8.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxReNgbfqvA/TuTvjqHBm2I/AAAAAAAAA-w/vHXqoriL9qY/s1600/7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 315px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684932025526623074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxReNgbfqvA/TuTvjqHBm2I/AAAAAAAAA-w/vHXqoriL9qY/s320/7.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> From this stage on I have increased the detail around the Larch trees, the right hand hill and the cliff-face again. I have painted in the Birch tree over on the right hand side of the painting.</div><div>This is what unifies the whole of the right hand side of the work. The fine, strong branches, and the blockier twig areas binding the foreground to the background and a the same time taking the hard edge of the scree slope on the right and breaking it up, this is also helped by the green gorse bush growing out of it. I have started to bring the reds in by painting the fence in, with a rusty brown.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0L0ULz15F0/TuTufD0ACNI/AAAAAAAAA84/pKuNFhF0IXo/s1600/8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 315px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684930847015176402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0L0ULz15F0/TuTufD0ACNI/AAAAAAAAA84/pKuNFhF0IXo/s320/8.JPG" /></a></div></div><div><div> This final stage is where it has all come together. The repainting of the tree in the foreground. This has now been darkened and warmed up, and details such as the small branches added to break up the straight line again. The wire fence has been painted again, to reduce the red slightly as more purples, pinks and reds have been added to the tree itself making it a warmer grey than in the previous image, which has also brought the tree forward from the background cliff-face and the mid ground landscape.</div><div> </div><div>Now the painting is finished as such the whole atmosphere has changed, and it reminds me of the weather we had the day I went up and took my reference photographs for the work.</div><div> </div><div>I have managed to get light in the painting even though there was no sunlight to create highlights and shadows, and yet the work has the feel of a damp overcast November day. </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0L0ULz15F0/TuTufD0ACNI/AAAAAAAAA84/pKuNFhF0IXo/s1600/8.JPG"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0L0ULz15F0/TuTufD0ACNI/AAAAAAAAA84/pKuNFhF0IXo/s1600/8.JPG"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-8523524261276798614?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com3http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/12/glenmacnass-wicklow.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-10143350547184268142011-11-18T11:07:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:29:17.227-08:002011-11-18T11:29:17.227-08:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFaMTyqwZeo/Tsat1qh9yBI/AAAAAAAAA8s/1WD9l-lAeKE/s1600/clontarfoil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 176px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676415517808510994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFaMTyqwZeo/Tsat1qh9yBI/AAAAAAAAA8s/1WD9l-lAeKE/s200/clontarfoil.JPG" /></a>I have framed my works for the exhibition in Clontarf GAA club on the 25th, 26th and 27th of November. Along with this painting of the Pigeonhouse, I am sending the <a href="http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/further-work-on-my-two-fish-paintings.html">two fish paintings I spoke about earlier<br /></a>and I am also sending <a href="http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-light-clontarf.html">October Light</a> . All works will be for sale at the show, (Seafield road, Clontarf, Dublin.) opening on Friday evening with a wine reception at 8.pm and will continue on Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. </div><div> </div><div>I am really looking forward to the weekend as I have a party to go to, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with folks I haven't seen for years. It is amazing how time flies, and how you drift apart from your extended families over the years. As some family members are spread all over the world, it is not surprising though.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-1014335054718426814?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/11/receptions-and-parties.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-92078610700508497902011-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:45:01.694-08:002011-11-09T11:45:01.694-08:00<div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k77Aag4naM/TrrQ2SRsv0I/AAAAAAAAA8A/tdfQpf2NDZM/s1600/clontarfoil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 176px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673076311664148290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k77Aag4naM/TrrQ2SRsv0I/AAAAAAAAA8A/tdfQpf2NDZM/s200/clontarfoil.JPG" /></a>I think Clontarf is finished. I didn't do a lot more work to it, just some further work on the left-hand side. I have a plein-air frame left over from AITO in Wexford, which I have used. I think it suits the work. I just need to sign the painting before fixing it into the frame.</div><div> </div><div>The painting will be in the Annual exhibition in Aras Cluain Tarbh, Seafield road, Clontarf, Dublin on 25th, 26th &amp; 27th of November.<br /></div><div> </div><div>My little girl, Dubh, has just been operated on again at the vetenary surgery. The poor little dog has had two more growths removed and has two 10cm incisions, one on her back and one on her belly. The poor dog lost four teeth too, while the vet had her under anaesthetic.</div><div>We are not a happy puppy at the moment, and because of her losing the teeth she wasn't allowed a bone this evening when we had Lamb chops for dinner. The upside is that she is getting twice as many tasty treats, as she has to take five tablets a day instead of her usual three.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNFx74zpejE/TrrUOfbN4kI/AAAAAAAAA8M/rTpzQ2OTfD4/s1600/DSCF0284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673080026045473346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNFx74zpejE/TrrUOfbN4kI/AAAAAAAAA8M/rTpzQ2OTfD4/s200/DSCF0284.JPG" /></a></div><div>To the un-initiated that means bits of chicken, sausage or black-pudding with the pill hidden inside. These are called <strong>sweeties</strong> and are the highlight of the morning, and again in the evening, to the extent that I'm not allowed to forget them. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-9207861070050849790?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/11/clontarf-and-puppy-dogs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-38721461813052022732011-10-31T11:56:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:28:42.198-07:002011-10-31T12:28:42.198-07:00<div><br /><div><div><br /><div>These first two images are photos of the sea-front in Clontarf. They are in effect part of my referrences. The first painted image can be <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E21Pxn7Y7o4/Tq7wCRiCLDI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/iMDFva9inHI/s1600/c2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669732902762589234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E21Pxn7Y7o4/Tq7wCRiCLDI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/iMDFva9inHI/s200/c2.JPG" /></a>seen to follow the first photograph quite closely. (this is because the photo was framed to follow my main plan for the work) The second image is of the Cordyline foliage in beds along the front, and the third image is of other beds with palms, which suffered badly last winter.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-cKrKEJXAM/Tq7yTcOxFLI/AAAAAAAAA6s/IHgPKAl1Q8Y/s1600/c6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669735396715599026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-cKrKEJXAM/Tq7yTcOxFLI/AAAAAAAAA6s/IHgPKAl1Q8Y/s200/c6.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBEK9tcyMK4/Tq7wCo4t56I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/HdNl3XPnb9w/s1600/c1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 160px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669732909031745442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBEK9tcyMK4/Tq7wCo4t56I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/HdNl3XPnb9w/s200/c1.JPG" /></a>The next three images are of the work in progress. I started by blocking in the old power station, and the foliage, along with a lamp-post. The background has been built up with layers of thick oil paint, and the white rings have been painted over the red of the chimneys. I added spirals into the foliage of the tree on the left. After ruminating for a while, mainly when the paint was curing, I decided the foliage needed to be less heavy. I made it much more stylised, allowing the sky to come through. I continued the same effect in the lower foliage, and brought the low sea-front wall into the painting. The third image has more work done both in the foreground, and on the lampost.</div><div> </div><div>I don't think I am nearly finished yet, but the newer layers need to dry. While this happens I will study the work further and re-work it my imagination.</div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgpe1j6lveQ/Tq7wBFJstvI/AAAAAAAAA5s/GFVZopNjiIc/s1600/c5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 152px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669732882259425010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgpe1j6lveQ/Tq7wBFJstvI/AAAAAAAAA5s/GFVZopNjiIc/s200/c5.JPG" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFPx4eec6A/Tq7wBYf_KpI/AAAAAAAAA54/pD4hol7unw8/s1600/c4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 154px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669732887453182610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFPx4eec6A/Tq7wBYf_KpI/AAAAAAAAA54/pD4hol7unw8/s200/c4.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pwZO1hpygf4/Tq70WqboorI/AAAAAAAAA64/Ye-UyQhJTTQ/s1600/c3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 157px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669737651090530994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pwZO1hpygf4/Tq70WqboorI/AAAAAAAAA64/Ye-UyQhJTTQ/s200/c3.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-3872146181305202273?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/work-in-progress-clontarf.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-87716748873107082362011-10-26T11:25:00.000-07:002011-10-26T11:42:59.833-07:002011-10-26T11:42:59.833-07:00<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDRJSmc571M/TqhSdK0MioI/AAAAAAAAA4c/CLgXyImeb6A/s1600/DSCF0212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 194px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667870792118733442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDRJSmc571M/TqhSdK0MioI/AAAAAAAAA4c/CLgXyImeb6A/s400/DSCF0212.JPG" /></a>'October light, Clontarf.' oil on canvas; 30" by 15"<br /><div>I have just finished a commissioned painting. Now I can go back to work to finish another for a group exhibition in North Dublin next month. I need to send my list of works in next week, so I'll need to have it finished, or nearly so, before then. </div><div align="justify">The painting illustrated is an earlier work, which I am sending to the same exhibition. It is a Plein air view of Howth Head from Clontarf, executed in oil paints with a painting knife. I want to combine it with my sea-bass painting (shown earlier) and the view of the pigeon-house that I am currently working on. I will endeavour to post the third work after the weekend, or if all goes well, before it.</div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-8771674887310708236?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-light-clontarf.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-51110986459642722292011-10-15T02:24:00.000-07:002011-10-15T02:29:47.579-07:002011-10-15T02:29:47.579-07:00<div><div><div><div>My fish painting has come to a stop for a while. I have completed a couple of small landscape works this week for one of my galleries. They seem to be popular with some buyers at the moment. Possibly because they are small and affordable, they are only small studies so their price-point is lower than more finished and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8qJs8vSQIU/TplPF-c7JWI/AAAAAAAAA4A/psuoANQOVHg/s1600/DSC05364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 334px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663644970477364578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8qJs8vSQIU/TplPF-c7JWI/AAAAAAAAA4A/psuoANQOVHg/s400/DSC05364.JPG" /></a>complicated pieces. I enjoy painting them at times, it is nice to be able to just paint what is in front of you, and by the time you start looking for the little details they are finished. Most of them are only 10" by 8", and sometimes I paint them 12" by 10". These sizes leave very little room for detail, so I can work quite loosely and freely. I have mislaid my camera so I have no images of the current work, these are two of an earlier trip... my phone cannot capture such small works, it doesn't have a facility for close-ups. I think I may have to invest in a new camera, unless we left it up in Sligo it seems to have vanished into thin air..???</div><div> </div><div>These are painted with a knife which suits small works of large spaces. I'm off to Sligo this afternoon, for a final look for the aforementioned camera in the cottage and caravan. If I don't have any luck there it will be off to the camera shop I think.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xFLakP8kb4/TplPGPKzhBI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/IuuKH-Fv-Uk/s1600/DSC05365.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 286px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663644974964769810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xFLakP8kb4/TplPGPKzhBI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/IuuKH-Fv-Uk/s400/DSC05365.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-5111098645964272229?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/some-landscape-painting-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-39484405158606276942011-10-07T08:10:00.000-07:002011-10-07T08:45:21.675-07:002011-10-07T08:45:21.675-07:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZYvq1YjUio/To8WmdV6NUI/AAAAAAAAA3w/kDbuQHyIltA/s1600/07102011%2528005%2529.jpg"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDA-6zyV-MA/To8WmcYJL_I/AAAAAAAAA3o/s8W3bHgiiXk/s1600/06102011%2528002%2529.jpg"></a>I have used this theme before in my work, relatively recently in both <a href="http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2008/07/finn-eces-finnegas-salmon-of-knowledge.html">paint</a> (both in 2008) and a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75021524/ex-libris-linocut-print-original">lino-cut print </a> <div><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 398px; height: 400px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660768102834893650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pA4X8xSi858/To8WmPVV81I/AAAAAAAAA3g/CSA9oOweNWw/s400/07102011.jpg" />still available. This newest creation is more abstracted. It is a painting following on from my two recent works, with use of thick impasto planes. I have used the prehistoric symbol for water across the top, (as in my award winning "Danube" Ex-Libris, and the most recent trout painting) and the background plane is built up within spirals and chevrons, all decorative elements of prehistoric artifacts. This built up layer is then carved with slashes in the paint naming the piece (for the true scholars out there, I know the ogham should read in the opposite direction.) Bradán Feasa, the Salmon of Knowledge. The Salmon itself originally was blocked in using similar colours to the background, silver/blue/green. I changed my mind however after considering the image for a while. As an angler I know that salmon turn dark red and brown after a period in the river. This salmon had eaten nine hazel-nuts from the tree of knowledge, therefor it would be autumn and the salmon would be dark red. I have left my thumb-print in the paint on the fishes gill-plate in reference to Fionn Mac Cumhaill's burn thumb. The colour of the fish can also be representative of the cooking process so a thumbprint would not be out of place in the narative.<br /><div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-3948440515860627694?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/finn-eces-salmon-revisited.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-81835555689765717932011-10-02T14:46:00.000-07:002011-10-03T11:01:33.806-07:002011-10-03T11:01:33.806-07:00<div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oku5I1G9BfQ/TojY0H1fDQI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Pk2kbivSGP0/s1600/02102011%2528002%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 262px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659011321759206658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oku5I1G9BfQ/TojY0H1fDQI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Pk2kbivSGP0/s400/02102011%2528002%2529.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oku5I1G9BfQ/TojY0H1fDQI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Pk2kbivSGP0/s1600/02102011%2528002%2529.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oku5I1G9BfQ/TojY0H1fDQI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Pk2kbivSGP0/s1600/02102011%2528002%2529.jpg"><div align="left"></div></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrfzKrJNkes/TojYz-bjD8I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/MQKr4lWQVDs/s1600/02102011%2528001%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 397px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659011319234498498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrfzKrJNkes/TojYz-bjD8I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/MQKr4lWQVDs/s400/02102011%2528001%2529.jpg" /></a>Well, I reworked the water in this one a little. I think I may leave it now.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The second work has been reworked extensively, without the silver foil though. I am quite happy with this one as it is, and I have even signed off on it. Always a sign that I know I have done enough.</div><div>I am going off to lough Sheelin tomorrow, hopefully I'll catch another trout to use for further pieces along the lines of this one. That's my excuse anyway. ;)</div><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-8183555568976571793?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/10/further-work-on-my-two-fish-paintings.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-66794237979237568162011-09-30T14:22:00.000-07:002011-09-30T14:57:08.313-07:002011-09-30T14:57:08.313-07:00<div>I started a studio clear-out with interesting results. Those that know me will know I hate tidying.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqw20hnDz7o/ToYza_IuFeI/AAAAAAAAA3A/DGWSaVMRD-k/s1600/29092011%2528002%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 261px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658266520555230690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqw20hnDz7o/ToYza_IuFeI/AAAAAAAAA3A/DGWSaVMRD-k/s400/29092011%2528002%2529.jpg" /></a>I reworked an old landscape/seascape study I had laying around in the studio. I painted a sea-bass over part of the seascape, turning the work into a painting of a fish rather than the original intended work. I then painted the remaining sections with thick impasto colour, applied with a knife as a flat surface. The landscape/seascape was too weak to make a good painting, but it made<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSTX6YjJiQ/ToY2K5U1bQI/AAAAAAAAA3I/BFePWxj6OGA/s1600/29092011%2528004%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 393px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658269542652407042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSTX6YjJiQ/ToY2K5U1bQI/AAAAAAAAA3I/BFePWxj6OGA/s400/29092011%2528004%2529.jpg" /></a> an interesting back-drop for the Bass painting. I may still rework the foreground area, I feel it needs to be flattened more (It is actually flatter in colour and tone than the photograph).</div><div> </div><div>I also reworked a quick trout study with the same thick flat paint technique, carving the prehistoric symbols for water through the paint. This is still experimental. I am going to rework this, in blue and steel grey rather than the green and earth tones. I have used these to give me a contrasting background before building up another layer or two, in which I intend to allow some under painting to bleed through. </div><div> </div><div>These are canvases that I did not intend to continue with, so I can happily experiment with them. I am going to look for some silver foil for the second piece, to work into the surface, I have gold leaf in the studio but no silver. I will happily play with this one for a while. Why not? I'm having some fun... ...but it will have to wait unti Monday.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-6679423797923756816?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/09/playtime-in-studio-anything-to-get-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-81473230452212249452011-09-28T13:54:00.000-07:002011-09-28T13:57:22.785-07:002011-09-28T13:57:22.785-07:00Our virtual exhibition via facebook is now on. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/media/set/?set=a.274828212541100.73658.240210116002910">See it here</a> You will probably recognise Dubh..<br /><br />I am now home from my fishing duties, tired but ready to paint, I started painting today but had to give up and tidy up the studio a bit first, the chaos was getting to me. It is still not finished but I'm getting there.<div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-8147323045221224945?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/09/virtual-art-exhibition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-68977176567712580492011-09-05T06:56:00.000-07:002011-09-05T07:39:06.911-07:002011-09-05T07:39:06.911-07:00September has arrived. I will be absent for much of this month, I am just back from the <a href="http://www.fishinginireland.info/trout/southwest.htm">lakes of Killarney</a> where I fished as part of the Leinster team in the Interprovincial fly fishing championships. While I failed to make the top ten anglers I did do better than most, managing to weigh in four fish over the size limit. I had a pleasant day fishing though, much thanks to my boat partner Terence Keane, and our boatman/gillie Tommy O'Loughlin, who, coincidently, is a brother of my Autumn International team-mate Seamus, both of whom kept up witty banter all day. I managed to whitewash Terence (who was on his home water) 4-0 which makes me look a little better too. (Sorry Terence) Lough Leane (lower lake, Killarney) is a beautiful lake, surrounded by Killarney National Park. We set off for the day from under <a href="http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/RossCastle/">Ross Castle</a> and much of the time it was hard to concentrate on the fishing instead of the scenery.<br /> <br />I travel to Grafham water in 12 days time so painting will be out between now and then. I need to finish a few jobs and ensure everything that should be done before I go is done, business wise. I also need to finish my fly-tying and other research and make sure I have every eventuality covered including spares of all important items for the trip itself. <br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-6897717656771258049?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com4http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/09/early-september-autumn-is-here.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-74833612030001412312011-08-30T13:33:00.000-07:002011-08-30T13:52:14.036-07:002011-08-30T13:52:14.036-07:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn3yVslzEHA/Tl1JRCBTVdI/AAAAAAAAA2w/pFwKM-RUWFk/s1600/Dubh.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 298px; height: 400px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646750064741406162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn3yVslzEHA/Tl1JRCBTVdI/AAAAAAAAA2w/pFwKM-RUWFk/s400/Dubh.JPG" /></a>What is Dubh waiting for? Could it be next months <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Virtual-Art-Exhibition/240210116002910">Virtual Exhibition</a> on Facebook? I have just finished the painting I was working on for the show.</div><div>Or is She looking at Eoin's new baby (car)? Which has managed to sneek into the photo, while my van is relegated to on-street parking.</div><div>I took Eoin out in his car this afternoon, or should I say he took me (He needs a qualified driver with him until he passes his test) Now instead of being Dad's Taxi, I am Eoin's passenger... whether he needs to get from A to B or not, he needs driving practice. </div><div> </div><div>Dubh is not amused. Dog's are not allowed in Eoin's car so she gets left behind, even though she is the same colour and believes it is tailor made for her. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-7483361203000141231?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/08/two-black-babies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-57316944578003363302011-08-29T06:48:00.000-07:002011-08-29T07:04:32.232-07:002011-08-29T07:04:32.232-07:00I have been very busy recently. I've done a little bit of painting, but mainly some more work on the cottage in Sligo. Along with that I have been organising bits and pieces for next month. I have the Interprovincial championships (& Ireland team qualifier) in Killarney this weekend. So I have been tying up a few troutflies. <br />I hope be going to the opening of the <a href="http://pleineire.ning.com/xn/detail/4851125:Event:62404">AITO exhibition in Enniscorthy</a> next week, then I travel to Cambridgeshire in England for the International trout fly competition as part of the Irish team.<br />Because of this my blog has been a little neglected.. sorry. On the other front I have had a couple of sales recently, so I'm a little happier with the costs of all my fishing trips. I bought my son Eoin a car for his birthday this week, it's not new but it is a car I know and it is well looked after with little mileage. I also managed to get a reasonable quote on his first years insurance... well there is no point buying him a car without insuring it for him ;) Students don't have a lot of money to spare. <div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-5731694457800336330?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com2http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/08/fishing-painting-building-and-buying.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-77229336667117496342011-08-19T13:39:00.000-07:002011-08-19T14:07:38.476-07:002011-08-19T14:07:38.476-07:00<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-reD7hSrV900/Tk7NMRwUeYI/AAAAAAAAA2g/Sx083DpmwsY/s1600/DSC05445.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642672993950005634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-reD7hSrV900/Tk7NMRwUeYI/AAAAAAAAA2g/Sx083DpmwsY/s400/DSC05445.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toZ4cD7DOz4/Tk7MAIuLqUI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/qnYCxRD7yW8/s1600/DSC05439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642671685855062338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toZ4cD7DOz4/Tk7MAIuLqUI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/qnYCxRD7yW8/s400/DSC05439.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehbaqkfg1qA/Tk7L_5wau2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/gFioY_wzOiE/s1600/DSC05451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642671681837906786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehbaqkfg1qA/Tk7L_5wau2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/gFioY_wzOiE/s400/DSC05451.JPG" /></a>I can't believe it's two weeks since I last posted!<br />All I have managed to do is go up to our cottage in Co. Sligo. The lawn is unmown there.... and will be for a long time. </div><div> </div><div>Although the grass has grown well in our meadow out front there was little water in the stream, until our last night when we had Lightening and thunder storms with very heavy downpours all night.</div><div> </div><div>The following morning the stream was in full flood, and the ground was very wet so we cut our trip short and came home a day early.</div><div> </div><div>I took a trip to Wexford to collect some of my art from the <a href="http://www.artintheopen.org/">Art in the open exhibition</a> . One of the paintings travelling on to the Public <a href="http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Library/Yourlocallibrary/EnniscorthyLibrary/#d.en.6406">Library in Enniscorthy</a> for a further show of some of the Enniscorthy paintings from the festival, which runs until mid-September.</div><div> </div><div>I am now moving into fishing mode, with a little over a month before I set off for the International fly-fishing competition in England. I have a lot of bits and pieces to organise before then.</div><div> </div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-7722933666711749634?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/08/where-does-time-go.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-81297236817683310932011-08-05T09:19:00.000-07:002011-08-05T09:47:28.464-07:002011-08-05T09:47:28.464-07:00<div><div>I am just back from the exhibition opening in Greenacres Gallery in Wexford town.<br />I enjoyed painting plein air down in the not so sunny south east.<br />Here are a few of my plein air paintings from this week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK_Td5kOYZI/TjcdoCwFuQI/AAAAAAAAA1M/HF65qG_L7YM/s1600/greg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 311px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636006032448010498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK_Td5kOYZI/TjcdoCwFuQI/AAAAAAAAA1M/HF65qG_L7YM/s400/greg.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOCxz_KcbyI/TjcdoU3H89I/AAAAAAAAA1U/4YveVn2TAgA/s1600/DSC05465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 395px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636006037309354962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOCxz_KcbyI/TjcdoU3H89I/AAAAAAAAA1U/4YveVn2TAgA/s400/DSC05465.JPG" /></a><br />This is me, standing beside an early morning view up the river from Wexford bridge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JoXwfKcY-o/TjcdosuP8hI/AAAAAAAAA1c/K3jgaEuZYA8/s1600/DSC05470.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 333px; height: 400px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636006043714581010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JoXwfKcY-o/TjcdosuP8hI/AAAAAAAAA1c/K3jgaEuZYA8/s400/DSC05470.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A painting of the bridge over the Slaney river in Enniscorthy.</div><div>I liked the abstract shape of this view. As can be seen from the palette, the day was quite grey and dull again.</div><div> </div><div>My next painting is of the garden conservatory in the Riverview hotel in Wexford town, and although looking quite bright colour-wise, I was inside painting because of heavy rain outside.</div><div> </div><div>Speaking of the Riverview Hotel, (apart from the fact that they allowed me inside with wet oil-paints on a busy Sunday) I was pleasantly surprised at the level of service and general cheerfullness of the staff there. It is a rare event to find such good old fashioned "family-run" style establishments now. Most hotels and restaurants seem only interested in taking your money, and not that you are having a good experience while there.</div><div> </div><div>The final image is of a small knife painting I did of Poulaphouca reservoir, Blessington Co. Wicklow while painting with Don Maier last week.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQhhZQ_UOfE/Tjcdo0eufeI/AAAAAAAAA1k/RAD3HJ7HjaE/s1600/DSC05471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636006045796957666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQhhZQ_UOfE/Tjcdo0eufeI/AAAAAAAAA1k/RAD3HJ7HjaE/s400/DSC05471.JPG" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-3987936850944868165?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com1http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/08/wexford-plein-air-festival_02.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-22726428257158505152011-07-26T06:22:00.000-07:002011-07-26T06:36:51.440-07:002011-07-26T06:36:51.440-07:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFe1Y26ZctI/Ti7AVWrMMYI/AAAAAAAAA08/AzQD1O9XqIM/s1600/donsuzi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633651656983589250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFe1Y26ZctI/Ti7AVWrMMYI/AAAAAAAAA08/AzQD1O9XqIM/s400/donsuzi.jpg" /></a><br />I have been out painting with Don Maier and his wife Suzie this week. Visiting Sligo on the north-west coast, the sea south of Dublin and spending time in Wicklow. I did a couple of knife paintings and one with brush as a warm-up to the <a href="http://www.artintheopen.org/art-in-the-open-2011/">Plein air painting festival</a> in Wexford this weekend.<br /><br />Don has travelled over from Atlanta, Georgia to take part. Many plein air artists know him from his <a href="http://pleinairartists.ning.com/">Plein air artist group online</a> there is also an online group out there for Irish Plein air artists <a href="http://pleineire.ning.com/">http://pleineire.ning.com/</a> . These sites also give information for those wishing to mpaint out as part of a group. Now, I'm off to do a little bit of studio rework on some of my plein air studies...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-2272642825715850515?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/07/plein-air-painting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-48466671204866891012011-07-14T04:36:00.000-07:002011-07-14T04:44:03.185-07:002011-07-14T04:44:03.185-07:00I am still very busy with non-art work, but with one week to go to my studio sale (sat 16th @ Village framing in Rathfarnham) I need to get everything ready for moving. I want to pull a few more prints too, just so I have a few lower priced items available. Don't forget offers are accepted for any work up on <a href="http://www.artbygreglong.com">my website</a> this week... The studio sale is intended to raise some funds towards my <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/itffa/internationalmatches.htm">International fishing duties</a> as much as to empty some excess work from my studio. Representing the country proves quite expensive due to a serious lack of support from the national sporting bodies as anglers don't have official coaching staff, with a recognised coaching qualification... ... how do you manage to do that! At our level the main areas to coach such as casting techniques and reading water are automatic. A lot of our (well mine anyway) success is due to the un-explainable, much less the un-teachable, a sort of sixth sense, a combination of thinking like a fish and observation, and an ability to spot small almost imperceptible movement below the water and in the wave patterns. Not so much the fish I catch, but seeing how many I am getting to look at my flies but not catching that tells me I need to alter something. Again the something to alter is usually instinct, or if not, then a process of elimination, starting with what I think is the most likely problem. No coach can do the thinking for me.<br />Rant over.... I have an American Artist and his wife coming to visit later in the month, we will be taking part in <a href="http://www.artintheopen.org/">Art in the open</a>, in Wexford at the end of the month. This will be a chance for me to do some plein air work, (or should I say push me to do some) before my trip to <a href="http://www.starrynightretreat.com">Starry Night</a> in New Mexico next spring.<br /> ..... I <span style="font-weight:bold;">do<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> seem to do a lot of travelling for an impoverished artist... ...imagine how much I'd do if I won the Lotto..<div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-2450364486988389160?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com0http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/07/rambling-rather-than-working.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6296485485231402115.post-89881005364608472682011-06-27T15:33:00.000-07:002011-07-01T10:58:46.350-07:002011-07-01T10:58:46.350-07:00I have just signed up for the <a href="http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">sketchbook project</a> which seems a very interesting concept. I don't tend to use my sketchbooks enough, preferring to just use paint plein air instead so this will mean I will actually have to do more sketching. This is never a bad thing, although in truth I have been doing more sketches recently during the planning stage while working on lino cuts.<br />I will try to show a few of my sketches in the blog when my book comes, and I can use it as a training implement for when <a href="http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-mexico-and-cambridgeshire.html">I travel to new mexico next spring for my residency</a> as I will want to do some sketches along with my plein air work.<br /><br />I will be travelling to Wexford at the end of July for the plein air festival there over thebank-holiday weekend. The <a href="http://www.artintheopen.org/">art in the open</a> weekend promises to be a fun event, sadly I wasn't able to make it last year. Meanwhile I'm off back to my studio... I can't spend <em><strong>all</strong></em> day online..<div class="blogger-post-footer">from:greglongartist.blogspot.com<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6296485485231402115-2233097294457540945?l=greglongartist.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Greg Long Artistnoreply@blogger.com1http://greglongartist.blogspot.com/2011/06/interesting-concept.html