Painting

Ardyth & Jennifer : Magical Harps and Voices from Nova Scotia

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Plus: Clydagh Valley by Gearoid O Duinnin, River Underground, Sean Nos Dancers and Genius Loci Cornwall

Yes! Our new edition is out and yours truly is bringing you nothing but the best in Celtic music. All the fresh tunes you want to hear, all the cool bands and music news you want to know-they are in this site!

Everywhere I look there are Celtic inspired companies cropping up. There are young bands and also veterans who continue to create awesome music. A few days ago my muse was inspired by the beautiful Celtic artifacts found in Moravia, the Czech Republic. This goes to show that the Celts were all over Europe during the ancient times and the spirit lives on through us! We are family. Let us continue keeping the flame alive. Slainte!

My friend the legendary and awesome Layne Greene has mixed their harp tunes for the live performance as part of his summer job. That’s how he was able to share these artists. I love the harp and the vocals. Listening to them is a mesmerizing and magical experience.Their track Just Summer speaks of endless possibilities. Sometimes jazzy as in the case of Still Waters, one can feel the spiritual rush of The Angel Gabriel; a tune taken from the Basques. The duo continues to evade being pigeonholed yet are confident in their unique sound that no band sounds like them.

About them:

Ardyth & Jennifer have been performing and giving workshops for many years with their unique mix of harp and original songs. For a list of our favourite links, click here.
Ardyth Robinson

Ardyth Robinson is currently living in the valley with her two girls, Nadia and Claire.

Ardyth Robinson and Jennifer Wyatt met more than a decade ago at a traditional Nova Scotia kitchen party and have been performing together ever since. Bringing their eclectic mix of harps, vocals, bass, percussion, whistles and original songs to audiences throughout the Maritime Provinces and into the New England States they have developed a unique style that combines elements of traditional music with the influence of jazz and contemporary songwriting. They have played at many premier folk festivals and concert venues, showcased in the Roots Room and songwriter’s events at the East Coast Music Awards and at the Juno Fest in Halifax and they have been featured on many local radio and television programs. As they have travelled, their unique style has earned them critical acclaim within the music community and an ever-growing fan base in the Maritimes.

http://www.ardythandjennifer.com/

http://www.myspace.com/149124303

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River Underground Surfacing.

It is great when bands or their friends come forward to promote their music. I know that there hidden gems out there waiting for the light of the day to catch up. How would we know if they keep silent right? I have been fortunate to receive a message from Nick Rossiter about the band River Underground. This is what he wrote.

I am from St. John’s N.L. I love the pubs of George Street, and all around the downtown area!! It is part of a long heritage of Downtown, St.John’s, N.L.
I’m just writing to ask if you could post on your wall, a Celtic band called ” Skraeling”, otherwise know as “River Underground”!!
They are based out of Toronto, Ontario, and quite frequently, Vancouver, B.C. And they do extensive traveling to all places, everywhere!!
They have released 3 C.D.s so far.
They are, quite possibly, Newfoundland’s “Best Kept Secret”!!!
They played Erin’s Pub last week for 3 nights, to a crowd that absolutely Loved them!!
The band members are, Jamie Snider(of the Wonderful Grand Band), Mike Rossiter, and a nice young man on drums, who calls himself “Animal” Pearson!!
They are in Newfoundland till mid August, and then they head back to the mainland after that!!
Also, they are looking for more bookings in any of your local pubs or bars, so if you could repost these links on your wall, it would be greatly appreciated!!
A good contact # is 1 416 873 7886.
Thank-you for sharing this and listening!!
Cheers!!

P.S. This is three of their links to get an idea what their sound is like!!
http://riverunderground.com/ https://www.facebook.com/riverunderground https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skraeling/71575184364

I listened to the music samples and I automatically like their music. It glides in smoothly and everyone in the band plays with such beautiful gusto it makes you want to get up and dance to the jigs.
Sound Samples here: http://riverunderground.com/
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Our pic of the day: Clydagh Valley by Gearoid O Duinnin

Since the day Clydagh Valley came out, it has been shared so many times. This image is by painter Gearoid O Duinnin who is based in County Cork, Ireland. The wild splashes of deep colors hold the imagination. The artwork speaks in volumes.  I can stare at it again and again and imagine I actually live there. I got in touch with him and conducted this little interview.

How long did you work on this painting?

I will always work on a painting for about two months, Layering and layering it with a plain colour. Then I attack the canvas with all the paint. Maybe 5-6 hours for the final bit.

What is your inspiration in creating this painting?

I actually live there. The funny thing is that when I painted it, I had just moved there and a friend pointed out to me afterwards that I had painted the Valley. I wasn’t intentional. I don’t paint from photos etc.

Can you give me the artists who influenced you in terms of your style?

I do like Jackson Pollock and Francis Bacon a lot but mainly for what they had to say about the subconscious as regards to painting. The pictorial result is different but the experience is the same feeling.

You are also a musician on the side. Any plans of pursuing this career or is this just for fun?

I’ve never had any aspirations as a musician. It’s something I do and other musicians ask me to play with them. I’m an accompanist and a fan of the music I suppose. I’m very lucky because I get a front seat in hearing some of the best musicians we have.

What can we expect from you this year in terms of artistic works?

Well…. I’m busy painting at the moment and I hope to have an exhibition that I can take on tour next year. I’ve had some help this year from Udaras na Gaeltachta & the arts council that enabled me to buy badly needed art supplies. Now that the house is full of canvas and paint, I feel confident.

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Video of the day: Sean nós dancers

There is an old form of Irish Dancing called Sean nos which like the style of singing means: Old Style. It is simple, fluid and improvisational. Through the years Irish dancing have grown and developed into other forms but it is great to look back sometimes and realize that everything has origins. My special thanks to Karen Victoria Smith for introducing this form of dancing in her vampire novel Dark Dealings. Here;s her blog to get more info about the book.

http://kvictoriasmith.blogspot.com/

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Featured media and marketing company: Genius Loci

Although known as a media and marketing company, Genius Loci actually started life as an independent Record Company. We are proud to be behind the most popular Cornish video on youtube ‘The Home Coming’ and also have a number of new musical projects in the pipeline…

About

Internet Marketing & Media Consultancy. Website Management, SEO photography design. Also involved in music & yoga promotion.
Description

Genius Loci means the ‘spirit of place’, and our skills will enable you to stand out from your competitors and be the leading light in your area of business.

Black is the Color (Three versions)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

The first time I heard this piece was an instrumental version.  Since then the melody has haunted me. So much more when I discovered the lyrics. I did some research and the history is kind of vague. But there are references to Scotland. I would like to feature Christy Moore, Cara Dillon and of course Nina Simone who popularized this piece in the mid 20th century. Wow  can you believe that this is the next century?

I found out about Nina Simone a couple of years ago after listening to a lot of French standards and it is refreshing to hear this song interpreted in a different style but still reflecting the same intense sentiments.

Adendum…

Win a Unique Original Watercolour

Artist & Author Paul Taggart is delighted to have been, once more, invited back to participate at the Highland Field Sports Fair on August 6th & 7th 2010.

Paul will be working at his easel in the main ring and other locations over the two days, to capture the heart of this impressive fair in one of his on-the-spot works of art.

Catch Paul as he works away on a number of scenes and you could be in with a chance to win the finished painting signed by all those featured and Mrs Celia Mackintosh of Mackintosh (Moy Estate).

Last year’s winning Prize Draw ticket was bought in aid of Pets As Therapy, by Gillian Rammage (Aberdeenshire), who was thrilled to be the lucky recipient of the framed watercolour.

“Once again, I am delighted to donate the finished watercolour to the Highlands, Islands and Grampian branch, to help in their fund-raising work. This deserving cause has become an established presence at the Fair.” reveals Paul Taggart.

“Last year’s painting featured the Duke of Buccleuch’s Pack, Katy Cropper’s Dogs and Ducks, Skyhigh Falconry, Moray Firth Spaniel & Retriever Club, Original Smokies from Arbroath, Chuck from the USA working with farrier Robin Pape, musicians Bruce MacGregor and Brian O’hEadra and last, but not least – the inimitable Robbie Trophy Terrier Racing (presented by Mrs Mackintosh).”

So please watch out for this author of fourteen books, as he wields his brushes over the two days whilst also being filmed for some videos.

Do not miss this ‘unique’ opportunity to purchase a Prize Draw ticket and be in with a chance of bagging yourself a winning watercolour to help this worthwhile cause.

Paul’s Commemorative Limited Edition Print which captures the art and soul of Moy Fair is on display and available to purchase at the fair**.

To reflect the Fair’s role as a benefactor of local causes, Paul has dedicated the entire edition of 100 copies of the print as a fund-raiser. £80 from each copy sold is remitted to the Highland Field Sports Fair Committee Surplus Funds for disbursement to various charities and deserving causes.

The commemorative print is taken from an original Oil Painting, featuring twelve miniature studies, in which the viewer is encouraged to enter at any point, then taken for a stroll around various events and highlights.

**Framed copies of the Highland Field Sports Fair commemorative limited edition print are also available to order from Paul direct and through his website.

Here is the direct link

Adendum 2

It’s Happening!

Donie Ryan:The Dublin Artist Is Fying with Colors.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 11 Comments

The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.

-Vincent Van Gogh

IMG_0864-donie

Donie Ryan comes across as someone whom you could talk about music and painting for hours. He also has a great sense of humor and likes the company of people with positive vibes. I am not sure if he is going to agree with all these things I write about him. Anyway, Donie has been painting for years as you will learn in this interview. He has created a lot of artworks and some he showed to me through MSN messenger.

We seemed to hit it off quite well the first time over chat. I think all music enthusiasts have this code of understanding. It is hard to explain. All I can say is, no matter what genre it maybe, one who is passionate about music is someone worth knowing and talking to. Donie knows his stuff. Like me, he loves collecting vinyl records and things no one would even bother in this world of ipods.Copy of IMG_08634

Photos courtesy of Mary Ryan and Donie Ryan

– What made you become so passionate about painting?

I think my passion for painting must be in my blood. One of my first memories is in Pre School trying to keep my markers from going outside the line of a teacup I was courling in. I think have another person to thank, I was about 6 or 7 on holidays in Cork and I was drawing with my two American friends. I was drawing clouds and their uncle saw what I was doing and must have seen my underlying talent. He went to the local town and spent over 100 Pounds on materials for me. That was a lot of money back then, from then on I was drawing and painting all the time.art 08 001d

-You have a distinctive style especially with your use of colors as well as patterns. Tell us about your influences.

I use a lot of colour , I used to think I was using too much but this seems to be my style as I keep painting very colourful, experimenting with lcd and magic mushrooms as a teen has definitely left me with a certain way of looking at things its like I want the viewer to experience it.

-I know that you have been fascinated by Austrian artists. Any thoughts about it?(You can include a link)n629666885_1446052_2335

A friend of mine told me to look up Godfried Helnwein , an Austrian who grew up in post war Austria . He obviously had a bleak childhood. He found some American comics like Donald Duck and so on and this opened his mind to the outside world. I was blown away by his work. It is dark and a bit grim. Here are some links http://www.helnwein.com/werke/selbstportraits/bild_540.html
http://www.helnwein.com/werke/selbstportraits/bild_2074.html
http://www.helnwein.com/werke/leinwand/bild_3483.html
http://www.helnwein.com/werke/papier/bild_1796.html
http://www.helnwein.com/werke/leinwand/bild_3197.html

other Artists who I like are Chuck close
http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/
Peter Doig
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/doig_White_Canoe.htm
Robert Ballagh
http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/Search_Repeat.aspx?searchtype=IMAGES&artist=11013693
Mc Esher
http://www.mcescher.com/Gallery/gallery.htm
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/irish-artists/john-shinnors.htm
and John Shinnors

-Tell us about the place where you live. How does it impact the kind of art you are creating?

I live in a leafy suburb of Dublin. I don’t think where I live influence me in anyway
– Do you have brothers and sisters?

I have 2 older brothers. I’m the only one who is seriously interested in art.n629666885_1818708_6027

– I know you live near Enya’s castle. How’s it over there?(LOL I can’t resist including this)

Yes I live quite close to Enya. She lives in a beautiful place up on Dalkey hill. A short but steep walk up the hill and you get an amazing view of Dublin

-Like me you are also into vinyl records. Anything you can add about it? What’s music for you?

I have a lot of vinyl mostly hip hop, music is as important to me as painting is.

-Since we are deep into the discussion of music, what can you say about the current state of Irish music-or music in general and how it in turn influences your creativity? It’s a good time for Irish music, many new young bands are coming up, and others more established, Lisa Hannigan, Republic of Loose, Dirty Epics ,Declan O’ Rourken629666885_2060843_5220921

-There is this one painting that you worked on and off for two years. Tell us about that one.

I do work very slow I spent 2 years on one piece, its the biggest piece I have done. I tend to work on 2 or 3 works at a time so I wasn’t working on it all the time. I usually make my own canvas. I want to have complete control. I think your surface is very important, whether I want it as smooth as I can get primiming, sanding again and again. Or with the big landscape I did I use heshin to get a thick weeve, or old style look, the one with its two views of a lake near my friends house Lough Dan,

-What’s your idea of a perfect weekend when you are not working?

A perfect weekend lots of music painting, go drinking with friends.

n629666885_1183546_5722