Iona North Beach
It is amazing how an awareness of the beauty of our world can change the circumstances of our lives. The story on my blog today about the fire tries to make this point. I chose to include this painting, which I am aware has many faults, because it is a painting of a place I hold very dear. I keep thinking I will paint over it but when it comes to doing it I stop and look and I take it off the easel and tell myself I will do it another day.
I lived on Iona for almost a full year. For those who do not know Iona, it is a small Island in Scotland off the coast of Mull. Very small only three miles long and one and a half miles wide. I had been working as a butcher and playing music in a band. Life had been hectic but in one way and another also becoming destructive and heading for disaster. I had decided it was time to change and get my act together. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay and work on the restoration of the Abbey on Iona. The first few months there were only about eight of us living in the Abbey, during the summer this rose considerably. I was the youngest of the eight by a long way. So I had time to think and study. When I got down, and I did frequently, I used to go to this beach and have a swim, the water was always freezing, and then I would sit and just take in this breathtaking vista. Without fail it always renewed my desire to do something more with life.
The painting was done from memory painted in acrylic on canvas. Maybe what I should do as I look at it again this morning is do the same painting but this time make a better job of it.
This blog is linked to my other blog where this artwork is used. it can be read at :-The Fire
Ralph, how can you do a better job of a painting that was done from the heart? I think the painting is really gorgeous. I love that dark sky seen through the clouds, the windswept sands, the rocky promontories in the distance, and of course, the cold blues of the beautiful waters. It sounds like this time in your life was a turning point and I like that this painting represents that.
ReplyDeleteit was indeed a big big turning point in my life. Life changing indeed. It was the first of three life changing events in my life. Not counting marriage and the birth of children which I suppose would make that number higher.
ReplyDeleteHi Ralph,
ReplyDeleteI read both blog entries - eloquent and well-spoken. We took our family to Scotland for a holiday in 07 and had the best time. Our 7yr. old wants to move there, our 16yr. old wants to (someday!) get married at Dryburgh Abbey. A wonderful place.
As for your painting, please, don't touch it! It is wonderful on it's own and was painted on your path of discovery. Perhaps you just need to go back and do your second painting from life! (wink)
Best,
Kim
Now there is a wonderful idea Kim I might just do that this summer.
ReplyDeleteDon't believe you can repeat a painting Ralph, for one you cannot recapture that moment. A very contemplative painting full of thought and wonder. Leave it be.
ReplyDelete