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.
View from the Bridge #133
The View from the Bridge, ©John O’Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel 12″x 12″ Not for Sale (NFS) This is the view looking west to Connemara from the bridge at Leam just outside Oughterard, Ireland. The bridge became famous as it featured at the start of the film "The Quiet...
The Old Mayor’s House II #132
The Old Mayors House, II ©John O’Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel 6″x 6″ SOLD This is the second view I have painted of this farm on the plateau of Clansayes, in Drôme provençale. The poppies are in full bloom!
Le Cabanon #131
Le Cabanon ©John O’Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel 6″x 6″ SOLD In this painting, I set out to capture the character of this ‘cabanon’, a little stone structure covered with roman tiles you can often see standing in the middle of fields here, in northern Provence. This...
After the Rain #130
After the Rain ©John O’Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel 8"x 8" SOLD When it rains in Ireland, which it can do from time to time, the water runs off the hills and across the bogland in a torrent. The purple bog heather in full bloom carpets the landscape. This is another...
On the Trail at Dawn #129
On the Trail at Dawn, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel, 5" x 7" This is another painting of gorse bushes using acrylic paints this time. When walking, your senses take in the gorgeous yellows of the plants and their characteristic smell as well as the subtle...
The House by the Lake #128
The House by the Lake, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Acrylic on Panel, 6"x 6" NOT for SALE I have been exploring wet into wet techniques with Liquitex and Golden Acrylic paints which allows bleeding and the paint to run. They are a joy to work with: their vibrancy and colour...
Before the Storm #127
Before the Storm, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Canvas Panel, 6"x"6 SOLD The weather is very changeable at present. Last week we had hailstones. It's very unusual. This is a view of Grignan, famous for its grand castle, from the village of Chamaret. We get to see...
Mont Ventoux at Dawn #126
Mont Ventoux at Dawn, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 6"x 6" SOLD The highest mountain in Provence is a majestic sight. Famous with cycling enthusiasts for its grueling climbs, the Mont Ventoux will see the Tour de France return this year in mid July. The white top...
Spring Vines, Suze, Provence #125
Spring Vines, Suze, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 6"x 6" Not for Sale There are vineyards all around the village of Suze la Rousse. In fact, the village is so deeply steeped in wine making, they have transformed a medieval castle dating from the 12th Century into...
Bog Heather #124
Bog Heather, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 6"x 6" SOLD
Breaking Through #123
Breaking Through, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 8"x 8" SOLD
The Gorse Bush at Dawn #122
The Gorse Bush at Dawn, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 5"x 7"
Passing Clouds, Provence #121
Passing Clouds, Provence, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 8"x 12" Not for Sale (NFS) It has been a cool start to spring with a fair amount of rain which is quite unusual in this part of France. When the Mistral blows, the rain clouds skitters across the sky making...
The Bank of Turf III #120
The Bank of Turf III, ©John O'Grady, 2013 Oil on Panel, 8"x8" SOLD
The Gorse Bush II, Ireland #119
The Gorse Bush II, Ireland, ©John O'Grady, 2013 7"x5", oil on panel SOLD 'When gorse is in flower, kissing is in fashion' - so goes the old saying. The two species of gorse found in Ireland flower at different times, one in spring, U. europaeus, and the other, U....