Studio Notes
On this blog, I regularly publish new paintings straight off the easel and discuss what inspired them and how they came about.
Opt-in here if you want to find out about the latest artworks.
Clouds in the River Rhône #181
Clouds in the River Rhône, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 10″x 10″ SOLD A few months ago I visited Avignon, "La Cité des Papes" where the popes once resided. The road into Avignon runs alongside the mighty river Rhône. On a fresh December day, I managed to park up...
Violet Sky II #180
The Turf Ricks #179
The Turf Ricks, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 8″x 8″ SOLD This is an arrangement of warm burnt oranges and browns that contrasts with the cool blue greys above the horizon line. The round form of the looming cloud also gives a contrast to the sharp vertical marks...
Diary of a Painting #171
A Murmur in the Trees III, ©John O’Grady, 2014 16" x 16", Oil on Panel SOLD This is a visual diary of a painting. It's for my own records and also to look back and learn from documenting the process of making a painting. I thought I'd share it with you...
Dark Light II #178
Click on the image to see a larger version Dark Light II, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 16"x 12" SOLD This painting explores the shifting contrast between dark and light and the resulting tension it creates. It's number two in the series.
The First Step is Always the Hardest #177
Light on Water II, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 8″x 8″ SOLD The first step is always the hardest, we've all heard that before and I think it applies to all of us when starting out on something new. It certainly applies to the writer facing the blank page or the...
The Bog Cloud #176
Click on the image to see it larger. The Bog Cloud, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 6″x 9″ SOLD It's twilight over the bog, distant lights are coming on and the stars are starting to appear. A single cloud drifts silently over the quiet bog.
Clair de Lune #175
Clair de Lune, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 6″x 6″ SOLD The moon rose above the sap green trees, silhouetting them against the night sky. On the road between Buisson and Vaison la Romaine, the fields were illuminated and the golden grasses that lined the edge of...
Breaking Through III #174
Breaking Through III, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 8″x 8 ″ SOLD This landscape of low clouds sitting on the hills as the light begins to break through is a common sight in the west of Ireland.
Flurry on the Dublin Mountains #167
Flurry on the Dublin Mountains, ©John O’Grady, 2014 Oil on Panel, 8″x 10″ SOLD The winter of 2010 was a special one in Ireland, a true winter wonderland. When the snow came over the Irish sea and onto the mountains, I have a strong recollection of looking at the...
Peace II #166
Peace II, ©John O’Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 10"x 10" Not For Sale I'd like to send you and your loved ones Season's Greetings and wish you a peaceful new year. Thank you for your support this year. All the best, John
The Violet Sky #165
The Violet Sky, ©John O’Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 5″x 7″ SOLDThis painting shows the newly risen moon over the bog at twilight. The arrangement in violet, copper brown and silver started off with an underpainting of cool dark blue. Then, I painted over with a highly...
Snowfall on Mont Ventoux #164
Memories are Made for This #163
Winter Sunset, ©John O’Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 6″x 6″ SOLD "It is better to paint from memory, for thus your work will be your own" Paul Gauguin When I close my eyes, I can tell myself what I want to see in my mind's eye. Invented or real, It's an amazing capacity...
Skyscape over the Irish Midlands #162
Skyscape over the Irish Midlands, ©John O’Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 16″x 16″ Not For Sale This is a detail of my latest painting showing the wide open spaces of the Midlands where turf cutting is mechanised to a high degree. The bog has been altered beyond...