The House on the Hill, ©John O’Grady
16″ x 16″ x 1.5″ acrylic on canvas, ready to hang
I was looking back at some old photos taken in the West of Ireland.
Sometimes, when the light was right, I’d capture a little bit of the wonderful bright greens we might find there.
Heavy rain helps the grass pulse with such a wonderful life force.
That’s what I wanted to capture in this painting, a velvety-green carpet of light leading our eye through and up a rolling hill.
The gloom to the left and right borders the green grass and accentuates its vivid colour.
On looking up, we see a wonderful cumulus cloud rising upwards, a moonlight filigree gilding its edges.
Tucked away to the left on the brow of the hill, the gable end of a small whitewashed house glows, nestled between silhouetted trees.
Even though old photos inspired me to begin this piece, within the first ten minutes, the painting took me up the proverbial garden path to what I’m showing you now.
The result has a dream-like and otherworldly quality, don’t you think?
I’d love to hear what you think of this artwork.
Hello John, there is so much in this painting to interest and enrich me. Mostly, it is the colour and that fabulous glowing green which anyone who has been to Ireland will recognise instantly. Also though, it is the composition – the low viewing point, the high horizon and the symmetry and balance from the little house and the solitary tree and the right hand side. Above, in the centre is a looming, luminescent, pearly- edged cloud so beautifully executed. It would grace any wall and thats for sure and remind its fortunate owner of the power of nature’s life force.
Hello Chris,
Thank you for your comment, I think we’re in agreement on the green that glows. Yes the low viewpoint gives the painting a particular atmosphere I think.