Sally Gap Wicklow, ©John O’Grady, 2013
Oil on Panel, 12″x 12″
SOLD
Less than an hour south of Dublin is the wide open blanket bog of Sally Gap.
The wide expanse of the landscape and the constantly changing light and colours make every journey there memorable.
Once you walk off the road that twists through the mountains, all is quiet even though you can still hear the wind
rustling through the bog grass.
This is a painting of that particular quiet, of the smell of the bog and grasses and of the way the light falls on the landscape as I have a vivid memory of a time when I saw a glow from a distant mountain that only a few seconds before was shrouded in mist.
I find that memory can be a potent way to make paintings that have a sense of place. By sense of place, I think about what makes a place or a moment special, unique.
I don’t paint details of the topography.
The feeling of that memory is true and described through paint.
It’s the “senses” of place that feed the painting and hopefully resonate with you, the viewer.
Do let me know what you think, I appreciate your comments.
There is so much I could say about this lovely painting but I am especially struck by the colour of the dry feathery grasses and the contrast with the peaty black. It feels peaceful and still but the glimpse of light behind the hills provides a sense of a changing landscape which John describes so well.
Thank you Chris, for your comment, I’ve driven through here with the rain pouring and it is still incredibly beautiful, the connection to nature is quite overwhelming
I really like that painting John. It has a magical atmosphere to it. You have created a huge distance in it, in some mysterious way. And yes, you’ve really captured that wonderful feeling of being up there in mountains to the South of Dublin.
Thanks a lot Eoin,it is a really special place alright, particularly at the crossroads with the 360 degree panorama.
Wow. The image is so pleasing to look at. It is just so wonderful and relaxing.
Thank you Lady Lilith,
I am glad you enjoyed looking at my latest painting