Sally Downey's Blog (98)

Umbrellas up to all who came to Martry Mill.  We were washed out by an unexpected shower but reformed and got back to work.  

BERNIE AND MICHAEL…

Svetlana and Roisin cleverly missed the photo shoot.  Lovely day at Monasterboice.  Some members went further up the road to Mellifont.  Either way it was going to be a spiritual experience.  Monasterboice was a difficult subject as the crosses and round tower are so tall and so close.  But Svetlana and Patrick, to name two, managed it in a very masterful…

OMG Patrick, what did you leave out?

Looks like you got the nerves…

As sometimes happens our group was small today but what it lacked in quantity is had in quality.  Anna is missing from the photograph.

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Its always difficult to get a meeting place for Clogherhead.  However, Forge Field Farm Shop and Coffee Shop in Termonfeckin fulfilled the need beautifully.  Again, we neglected to get a group photo.  Had we done so it would have featured Anna, Sean, Gerry, David, Michael, John McManus, Colm and myself. 

I can’t help noticing a gender imbalance in the last two…

Regrettably we neglected to get a group photo of the painters who turned out today. I have no ‘action shots’ either so if anyone else can supply some please do.

The usual Saturday date had to be postponed because of a forecast of terrible weather.  So we met on Sunday 14t^h June.   The weather on Sunday was glorious.

Six and a half Boyne Valleyers turned up – Sean, David, Phil Hofler, Gerry Smyth, first-time-;painting-with-us Brendan and…

Thanks to Dee for the photographs.  I'm really sorry to have missed another great day.

All the straight-out-of-the oven scones have been demolished.  Sorry I missed them.  Great to see Paddy again, also in the picture Caroline, Sean, Anna, Dee, Kay, Bob and Roisin.  Not in the picture David, Michael, Paul, John McManus and two new…

At least twelve of us fell for Sean's Bluebell propaganda and turned up in Ardgillan today.  However he did find a glade of bluebells and the image below shows proof of him collecting poof of bluebells.  We had a truly great day and he used his influence to ensure beautiful weather.  Thanks Sean.

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Forecast for to-day warned all week that today would be very cold with heavy rain all day.  Nevertheless five B V members showed up in Virginia to paint bluebells!   We spent two hours over breakfast/coffee in the vain hope that rain might ease off.   It didn't really.  But we set out anyway.  Some lovely paintings were produced, also a few very wet in wet ones.  Here we are before setting out.…

Well, not a paintout exactly, although most of us did bring materials.  But the weather was dreadful with heavy rain.  However, we were in the right place because part of the plan was to visit the 137th Annual Exhibition of The Dublin Painting and Sketching Club and to start the day with the Portrait Painting Demonstration by Jim Doolan.

It was wonderful.  Security man, John, sat as a jolly model for Jim.  Jim used water colours. Among many other tips he told us that he did not eschew…

Great turnout again and great to see Rhoda back.   Sorry I missed it.  Looking forward to seeing the paintings when you post them!

Called into Pat the Painters exhibition in Enfield on way back from Birr.  Terrific exhibition Pat.

Dee and Anna supplied the photo. If anyone has any more please add them to the…

Bernie and David happy new members of Boyne Valley.

(Another) Bernie and Eric happy too in Boyne Valley with Julia, Boyne…

Bob has chosen his spot and is ready to go.

Job well done Patrick.…

Sorry I missed the day.  Looks like a happy throng in party mood.

Caitriona, Michael, Svetlana and Kieran settling down to…

Full House today. Thanks to Dee for organising. That is Roisin playing peek-a-boo at the back. Michael and Jean managed to escape the photo.

Anna and Deirdre…

Full of scones and ready for the OFF.

Action shot of Pat with Spring showing in the background.…

Forecasters were using all sorts of colours to warn us of the bad weather due to-day.  But eight stalwarts togged out and set up their easels at Mellifont, regardless.  It was blue skies all way.   There was just one gust of wind which caused structural damage to two easels. Both victims report that it has not discouraged…

Part of the great turnout on a very cold day.

Welcome to Ray, Eamonn (hiding behind Paul) and Andy. We look forward to meeting them again.  Great turnout (14) despite the cold.  And a most enjoyable day.

Caroline, lost in her painting.…