November 14

Well, I awoke today with a brand new outlook about my new best friend, Aimsir (Gaelic for weather). My terrier self was determined to push forward but I realized that I needed to court this Aimsir. Let him lead the dance.  With my shift in attitude, we waltzed through the day beautifully

First location, my-go-to place, Bunatrahir Bay, 2 km from town. Forget the easel. I will work out of the back of the car. (A nice carpenter, working at the adjacent cottage, cut me a 32 x 40 inch plywood board out of scraps). It's perfect. The paper and paint is protected and I get to stay outside and work.

you know the drill, first I sketch

Changed format to 6 x 6. Adding notes as I paint. Everything is so expansive, my 4 x 6 marsh format just can't capture the experience. Next location, back to a country road for the early afternoon.

I landed here and starting painting an oil sketch. (right below) What I thought was a mountain through the distant fog became the sea when the fog and mist lifted. You can feel the blue of the sky before you can see it.

I worked from the top sketch (lower one was to my left)

Colors are a little heavy handed ( what a surprise! Ha) and not realistic, I will continue working on capturing the Irish soft weather- (Aimsir bog in Gaelic) I am not looking for a likeness but rather a felt response to the landscape. Hard to see but in the top image, but I promise I saw a stand of autumn trees in there somewhere!