Starting over

Its been a long  time since I visited or used my blog.
 

Eagle Owl 

Watercolour on 140 lb paper

I had got used to just posting on Instagram and convinced myself it was the "new" way to go.  Being busy teaching 4 classes each week and finding very little time to paint, the thoughts of actually "Writing" a blog post just seemed too much.  But... I find the constant impulse to just scroll through social media created an anxiety in me and a lack of connection compared with blogging. 

I have been reading the wonderful Carol Marine's book on daily painting and she mentions how important blogging is to her practice.  Having had a little read of a few blog posts I feel inspired to revive my own blog.

So  here we go!  Above is an example of my latest work!

WEBSITE

Please visit my website www.AislingKiernan.comwww.AislingKiernan.com  for up to date posts and paintings

Stop the World, I want to get off!

Stop the World, I want to get off , Let me out of this fiendishly frighteningly frazzled fray,  Lead me to Serene and simple sanctuary.

Wouldn't it be nice if life was like a bus, and we could ring the bell to stop and let us off in some serene sanctuary for a while to rest and rejuvenate before joining the world again!!!

This was exactly how I felt earlier t his year when stress took over and robbed all my Joy in life. This painting was my prayer and my way of letting out the feelings of panic,  Thankfully that prayer has been answered, not necessarily in the way I expected.  I am appreciating more time with my family and noticing every  little bit of beauty in joy in my world now.

Its been too long!

Note to self:

I haven't posted here for a long time.  Circumstances got in the way, namely a disastrous business venture and a frightening health scare,  but I am back on my proper path again so I plan to enjoy life, cherish my loved ones,  paint and write, laugh, dance, play, bake, garden, spend time with real friends and post here much more often!

New Term, New Venue!!!

We are very excited to announce we are moving to a wonderful new bright dedicated art space.  I will be posting photos and lots more information about it over the next week or so.

An Cupan Tae

All across Ireland many Gatherings of family and friends from all over this beautiful planet are taking place.  I painted this picture for all those who for whatever reasons cannot get home right now,   to say, "You may be out of sight, but you will never be out of Mind".  Thinking of you and sending loving wishes to all our diaspora.  Put the kettle on make yourselves a lovely cup of tea, and indulge in some happy memories from home.  Ah go on, go on, go on, go on, go on!!!

Faith

I painted this a little while ago for someone special who needed a little boost.  I  could use a bit of Faith myself at the moment.

Summer Term at Kids Art Classes

Summer term started last week with a promised session of still life.  We had a couple of different options set up for the children to choose from.

The daffodils were the most popular choice. 

Mr. Monkey was pretty poular too!!!

We were amazed and delighted at the varied interpretations of each set up.  I love to see the children paint from their own perspective and using their imagination and finding their own style.  

It was the quietest class we ever had as the children really settled down and were in deep concentration.

There are lots more photos on my facebook page, Aisling Kiernan Art.

Next week we are planning a morning exploring pastels.  Will be messy!  Thank God for wet wipes.

Fly Little Songbird Fly

I painted this for my daughter. It explores my feelings about her growing up and becoming more independent.  It contains hidden messages of love, encouragement and wonder at the beautiful, kind, talented and wise young woman she has blossomed into. Better stop writing now or she will be mortified!!!

The photo is not great, I will get the camera out and try to improve my photography skills.

Hello Again

I haven't been here for quite a while.  I have been busy with my classes which have just taken off this past year.  While I have been teaching art classes for several years, I only did a couple each week during term time, but now that my children are older I have more time to give to classes.  Also this year I finally gave in and agreed to do a kids art class at the weekend,  with my daughters help. Over the years I have been asked so often to do a childrens class, but I always said not while my own children needed me at home.

As you can see the childrens classes have been great fun, and I have absolutely loved doing them, particularly since my daughter works with me.  It is so nice to share our love of art and to spend some time together.

We have done lots of painting, drawing, clay work, card making and had so much fun.  A new term of 8 classes start after Easter.

I have lots of images from other classes and some photos of new paintings to share over the coming days.  I hope you will enjoy them.

New work

Here's to 2012 being a productive creative year!

This sketch is an excercise from the course I am doing with the London Art College in Childrens Book Illustration.  After taking on the commission to illustrate a book last year I realised how much I had to learn and the London Art College course is so helpful. I am finding it a big challenge to paint from my imagination rather than what I see.

These 2 paintings are tiny only 4" x 4" and are available to buy on etsy.  I enjoyed painting them in acrylic and have several more pieces on the way.

Mixed Media Workshop Details

                    
Mixed Media Workshop

                      
Tuesday 22nd November

10am till 1pm

Small class in warm comfortable environment, in Ballinea just 7 miles from Mullingar.

Suitable for beginners and experienced painters

                   
Mixed media is a fun expressive creative way of painting that is equally suitable to those who are experienced in other media and to those who have never painted before. It can be used for any theme and is particularly great for making memory paintings of special times using all sorts of bits and pieces, to embellish the painting.  Anything from scraps of old letters, to labels, tickets, photos that we copy onto a special product called Extravorganza before collaging on to our picture, to buttons, beads etc.
 Details of possible projects will be posted on this blog over the coming weeks.

                             
Your will need to bring a canvas, some brushes, and a few tubes of acrylic paints which are are available to buy locally or can be purchased at the class. You can bring various items  to embellish your painting as well.  Additional materials and ephemera and light refreshments will be provided.

Cost;  E25


To book or for more info, please phone me on 087 9287692

Mixed Media Workshop

MIXED  MEDIA  WORKSHOP


COMING  SOON

DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

Rose card

Here's a little card I painted yesterday.

Derelict Cottage at Churchtown, Ballinea, Mullingar.

I pass this little cottage most days coming and going from my home.  In the Spring, ancient,  long forgotten bluebells flourish by the door as cars, lorries and other traffic speed by going to God only knows where.  Do they even notice the bluebells or even the cottage itself?

I often wonder who lived there,  was it a happy home? Or was it filled with angry voices, and times strapped people rushing hither and tither fretting over  things that are no longer important?   Does it even matter?

 I like to think it was a happy contented little place where callers would be welcomed in for a cup of tea and maybe a scone and some bramble jam and a chat by the fire in the days before the road that runs past became so busy.

Sometimes when I am running around like a headless chicken fretting about stuff,   I think of that little cottage, and I say to myself,  "Does it really matter".

This painting can be purchased herehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/AislingKiernan?section_id=6115284

Jewelry Upcycling demo

I had a lovely morning yesterday with the wonderful ladies of Milltownpass. They have a monthly coffee morning and get together which is so important for rural communities. Living in the country can be isolating and it makes such a difference to have a great community to meet and socialise with. We always have great craic in Milltown and the topic of conversation can be very diverse to say the least. They also run art classes and have a variety of very interesting speakers on all sorts of topics at their coffee mornings.

I was invited to do a jewelry demonstration. What with the recession and so much emphasis on recycling and reusing these days I decided to demonstrate how to update some old jewelry. We all have bits and pieces of jewelry lying around that we no longer wear but don't want to throw away. So, I took apart an old necklace that had some lovely Rose Quartz, and also a high street bracelet. I had been looking for a bracelet to go with a dress I bought for my daughters' confirmation but had'nt been able to match the colors. I combined the quartz, with some beads from the high street bracelet, along with a few swarovski crystals and some gorgeous glass flower beads that I bought a while ago just because I loved them.

eh Viola!!!

I now have a bracelet that picks up the colors in my dress and one that nobody else will have. And best of all, no damage to the old bank account!

Mini illustrations

These mini flowers are to be dotted here and there throughout the text.

Book Preview!

Here is another little taster from the book "The Garden Girl"  by Mary Dunn and illustrated by yours truly!

Book being published

Am so excited to have finished the illustrations for the book and that the Author, Mary is happy with them.  These are a few of the pictures that will be in it.  I found this a big challenge and a huge learning curve and at times very daunting.  Completing the commission gave me a great boost of encouragement and confidence.

I cant wait to see the finished book with both our names on the front cover.

New Project

I haven't been here for a while because I have been very busy working on a very exciting (to me!!) project. I have been commissioned to illustrate a Children's book for a U.S. children's author. It has been a huge learning curve and a very enjoyable challenge. I still have quite a bit of work to do but thought I would share one of the illustrations here on my blog.

When I have completed all the work I will share more details with the permission of the Author.