The Glowing Bog, ©John O’Grady 2014
Oil on deep edged beech panel, 15 cm x 15 cm x 3.6 cm deep (approx. 6″x6″x1.5″, no need to frame and ready to hang)
SOLD
If you’ve been following my work for some time, you know I’m fond of grasses and bogland.
In this painting, I sought to show the peace and solitude of the bog but also the changing colours late summer and the beginning of the new season bring.
When you first encounter a vast expanse of bog, you often see a flat blanket of a unified colour that can seem bland and yet like with so many things, when you take some time, your senses attune to the place. It’s as if you are let into a special world where the wind whistles amongst the grasses and what first appeared as a spray of one colour turns out to reveal different shades of golden brown, orange and purple.
I took a picture of ‘The glowing Bog’ with two others paintings of Ireland, with different colours and atmospheres, filtered as I mentioned before through distance, memory and imagination of places I have seen and been moved by.
We often hear about the greens of Ireland and how varied, rich and subtle they are but there are many other colours and landscapes that feed a painter’s imagination.
When placing this set of three paintings next to each other, you can see the colours of an evening sky on fire, the subtle greens and greys of the morning light and the glowing bog grasses catching the evening light all working together.
It might be said that the colours used in these paintings are not representational and I wouldn’t disagree with that, rather, they are my way of expressing the feeling I have about a place, real or imagined.
The success of a piece is not about how much the painting looks like a place but how deep I have dredged up those feelings through the act of painting.
Another excellent example of remembrances of Ireland. I love the lush richness of the grass and the contrast of the bog behind and supporting it. And, of course, ever looming, are the mists of the reeks behind it all. Well done, my friend, well done, indeed.
Ah! Hello Terry,
That’s really encouraging, thank you. I thought it might resonate with you, great that it captures a little bit of those special times.
I love your painting of the glowing bog but I am a person still struggling to get those sort of effects
So not in the market for buying but using you as inspiration of which you give me plenty thank you so much. Have created one painting which used some of the effects but I always struggle with foreground and feel I need subject matter! Just a hang over from school I rather think. I have to exercise loads of self control and stop fiddling and let the paint dry before over painting and turning it all to MUD!, so I am learning a lot and am determined to get better. Seem to have got inspiration from your paintings which is great I now know a bit more what I want to achieve and exploring how to get there. Best wishes Jane
Hello Jane,
It means so much to get feedback from the people who have subscribed and it’s great that a little of what I do might help, although I am no authority, we are all on the same path of trying to express ourselves don’t you think? I wish you all the very best with your painting. I know what it’s like knowing when to stop fiddling LOL.
Hi John, that format with the deep edges and no frames look great, I think. I really like your glowing bog pieces too. They remind me of Donegal.
Hi Eoin,
They are really good to paint on. I have used them in the past for small still life work and I think they look good once the edges are painted. Thanks for the Donegal mention that makes me feel good. I hope your own work is going well.
Ooh, I love this latest bog painting John – my favourite elements and colours. Those grasses tinged with purple heather are so full of texture and movement. The flecks of light enliven it and provide great contrast and hint at small hamlets or cottages in the distance. The misty hills are a triumph.
The three together are interesting studies of different times of day and the light effects; they are very effective with the deep edges.
Hello Christine,
That’s great that you like it. I was trying to get that feeling of movement into the grasses, so I am happy they worked out. I think the three paintings do look good together. Thanks for the comment