...on the doorhandle.
Well, there was gouache and watercolour actually. This piece was a special commission which involved collaboration with my client's two young sons, who visited the Scriptorium to apply their hand prints in paint for their mother's special gift.

The poem is a well-known one amongst Irish students and from the pen of Séamus Ó Néill entitled, as gaeilge, 'Subh Milis', meaning "Sweet Jam". It's a poignant poem dedicated to the poet's mother (subtitle: "Ceann do Mhama"), and is one of his best-known works.

Click here for the poem text and translation.

I loved building this piece using the jam reference, the personal hand prints and our fun Saturday morning workshop,  and using the Irish uncial style of calligraphy.

Delighted to have worked with the wonderful folk at Mind the Gap Films with the calligraphy items for their Lords and Ladles TV show!

I worked on the assignment cards, envelopes and menus for each of the six houses, and at the time had no clue about what the TV show was or proposed use. Some very strage dishes on those menus! Once I tuned in it all made sense. Enjoyed every episode and I learned a lot about culinary history and Ireland's finest houses.

The final wall-piece for the Ashford Heritage Centre which officially opens this Friday, and which focuses on the late Seamus Heaney and his long-time presence in the Ashford community and surrounds. I was honoured to contribute and to writing his words;

"…driving down from Dublin to Wicklow in spring or early summer – or indeed at any time of the year – I get this sudden joy from the sheer fact of the mountains to my right and the sea to my left, the flow of the farmland, the sweep of the road, the lift of the sky. There’s a double sensation of here-and-nowness in the familiar place and far-and-awayness in something immense…” 
Seamus Heaney (1939 - 2013).

Anyone that takes that drive knows exactly what he means! The stress of the city just evaporates when you see the Sugarloaf on the bend of the M11....the Irish Sea at the next bend....

The accompanying triptych of photographs are from a local photographer (name to follow) specifically commissioned to emulate Heaney's words. Thanks Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer, Ronan McDonnell, Graphic Designer, Sheila Clarke - Ashford's local historian and 'Superwoman', John, Ray, Rory and all the gang working tirelessly this week and the fun, tay and sandwiches that went with it!

100 x C5 Cream Milano wedding envelopes now being wrapped up for delivery. 

Touching up. Plus, the final element of the wall piece is the hand-painted signature of Séamus Heaney. This was one of several signature references;

The signature was applied in grey;

Springtime in the Scriptorium means just one thing: WEDDINGS!
These large cream envelopes from Daintree's Milano range are really beautiful to write on and here they are laid out to dry.

Early start for 7:30am and the morning sun is lighting up the centre and the birds are filling it with song. I have a lot of work to do.

The first step was COLOUR! 
As agreed with the Project Designer and Wicklow Heritage Office, we were going with a forest green. The great lads at Woodie's DIY in Lucan mixed the paint and sampled and dried it for me. Such a great service.

Ladder up, wall lined up and first line down.

A biblical verse in majuscules in three parts for US-based artist and author Michael Curtis Paul. With thanks to Sean Freeman at Screen45 Creations.