The Old Walnut Tree.
The 400-year-old walnut tree that stood at the front of Marlay House was blown down by a storm, and it’s taken me ages to find some photos of it to paint from. The wood that came from the tree was given to Colm Ó Meachair, harp maker: (July 18th, 1947-September 28th, 2013) who was a key figure in the revival and development of the traditional Irish harp and one of the tenants in the Marlay Craft Courtyard. He was commissioned to make a harp which resides in Marlay House today.
Autumn Bridge, Marlay Park
My most favourite bridge of all to paint because of its beautiful setting. It looks lovely all year round and I hear many stories from my clients about how this special place features in their lives as the place where they were proposed to, or the place they come to simply sit and reflect on life.
Marlay House in Summer
It’s often difficult to photograph Marlay House in nice lighting as it is facing north, but this great shot was taken by my daughter Jennifer Rowe who also has a studio in the Courtyard. I particularly liked the way the house is framed by the trees and the flowers with the Virginia Creeper enfolding it all in nature.
Marlay Memories II
Originally painted in watercolour, I revisited this scene in a gouache study in preparation for an oil painting. Having painted this scene so many times, it is the only time I captured both swans swimming together around the island. That misty morning in February was quiet and still, holding all the promise of spring, and as I painted in my sketchbook, the swans circled the lake numerous times. It was both delightful and mesmerizing. Sadly only one swan remains in Marlay which makes me even more grateful for these precious sketches.
Winter Magnolia
Most beautiful and graceful of trees, the flowers like lotus candles in spring, the leaves wide and glossy in summer, the magnolia tree’s branches dance through winter, holding their shape like a ballerina doing an arabesque. They inspire so many paintings in me. When I first came upon the Courtyard in Marlay Park in my early twenties these trees stole my heart. It was then that I knew I wanted to have a studio here. Thanks to Louise and the gardeners, they have made such a beautiful garden and pathway at the back of the old buildings and have really brought it to life.
Coffee Shop in Winter
Formally the head gardener’s cottage, this has now become the café and meeting area for so many groups that frequent Marlay Park. Here, the peacocks strut about with their feathers splayed, and it is altogether a lovely addition to the walled garden which was restored in 2000. Captured here as a snow scene, I thought it looked lovely and Christmassy!
Snowdrops
One of the first bulbs to appear in early Spring, the snowdrop is such a brave little flower. I don’t normally do botanical-style flowers, but this little flower is so small, and so quietly strong, that I wanted to respect its simple dignity with delicate detail.
Bench and Blossom
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that say so much. Marlay Park has so much to see, so much to offer. For the mums with toddlers, to the dog walkers, to the joggers. Yet sometimes all we need from it is a gentle reminder to sit in silence. To absorb the goodness of nature and let the busyness of life just pass by.
Magnolias and Hyacinths
Like musical notes the bubbles of pink magnolia buds play across the background of spring green leafing trees and a carpet of mauve and purple hyacinths. The colours merge and overlap almost like an abstract painting, or watercolours running in the rain. Vague magnolia tree branches lift their arms to release their treasures to the world and let them fly. The glory of Spring is here.