November 30
When we arrived back from our trip, Center was looking festive! The gallery walls are now covered with delightful, amazing work for the Open House on Saturday. All the children who participated in classes over the year have been in invited to bring their parents to see the exhibiti. Cookies and preparations for hot chocolate are waiting quietly on the table. ( Chryssie couldn't find miniature marshmallows, so Phil was cutting the large ones into fours)
Before return, sketched along the way from Belmullet. Back to Benwee Head and Broad Haven Bay. Clouds rolled by and definitely cold on the hands! Got a few more works on paper completed.
Around 4 headed over to Down Patrick but it started raining so sat in the car and sketched. This was the view as the sun went down. Lovely way to end the day.
December 1
Another beautiful morning as we headed to Downpatrick Head!
Jutting out into the ocean and rising 131 feet above water, it is 3 miles from Ballycastle, - a visual landmark for the area. According to folklore, a pagan chieftain, named Crom Dubh lived on the sea stack. When he refused to follow the Christian way, St. Patrick hit his staff on the ground and the stack separated from the mainland. Crom Dubh was left to die. There are ruins of a church, holy well and stone cross – the site of a church founded by St Patrick.
In WWII, the Downpatrick was used as a navigational device for planes. Rocks were placed in the sod to declare Ireland’s neutrality.
Next, we took to the backroads looking for sketching sites. Although the country side is stunning with its hedgerows and green fields, I realized that I need some “current” - water, in particular. After a few attempts staring at the hillside, I retreated back to Bunatrahir Bay- my favorite place.
I have found that leaning a board against the rocks suits me better than an easel. I sketched and painted the image below - hands freezing - but so exhilarating! The skies were moving and changing color!
As I was finishing, the light and clouds shifted dramatically as the sun dropped in the sky. The picture does not capture the beauty of the moment.
December 2
Show Time at the Center today!
With anticipation, the “crew” is scurrying around getting ready for the artists and parents to arrive. Helen and I have our studios ready for any visitors that are curious enough to climb the stairs
Mary, Nuala, Chrissie and Mary
Over 125 folks came to see the exhibit, drink hot chocolate and make wreaths and snowflakes. As Bing Crosby crooned his favorite Christmas songs from a little black box on the mantle.
I spent my time helping make wreaths ( not my stong suit) and talking to families about my work. It was a joyous afternoon. Below are one classes's display of work:
Headed south to Shannon Airport at 5PM (3 hours drive) to get Freddy back to the airport for a Sunday morning flight. Driving in the dark - on the wrong side of the road - is not my strong suit either.
December 3
Up early to meet my writer/friend Beth at the Shannon Airport coffee shop. Turned in TULIP to the Hertz return lot and picked up my silver hatchback we named LUNA. She has a nice Burma Shave smell to her - if you like that sort of stuff. Freddy headed off to meet his plane and went headed up the motorway. Nice to be back home in Ballycastle. We enjoyed a lovely fish lunch/dinner at Mary’s and took a long walk by the bay and through the countryside. Losing the light earlier each day.
Decorated my Christmas tree and gazed at the super moon. Of course, ended up at Healy's for a Guinness to celebrate Beth's arrival and LA LUNA in the sky.
