Two sheep and the Sugarloaf

‘As I venture into the Wicklow hills the rugged landscape takes on subtle tones and hues as the Irish skyscape constantly changes its mind. And as I watch the evolving panorama two sheep amble by, unimpressed, breaking then remaking my view’.

This is a recent painting of mine ‘two sheep and the Sugarloaf’ (oil on canvas 90x70cm). I’m fortunate to be surrounded by the beautiful landscape of County Wicklow with the Sugarloaf as a backdrop. The ‘Sugarloaf’ is really only a hill as it’s only 501 metres (1,644 ft) high, however its isolation from other hills, steep slopes and volcanic appearance makes it appear much taller than it is.

I hope you enjoy my painting and that someday you’ll have the opportunity to also enjoy the real Wicklow landscape if you haven’t already had that pleasure.

N.

Two sheep and the Sugarloaf

Thanks everyone….especially Sineád

Thanks everyone for all the kind words about my painting ‘upon small shoulders‘ and the ‘fame’ status it’s achieving. At last after what seemed like an eternity Sineád O' Connor‘s album ‘How about I be me (and you be you?)‘ is on the shelves and getting incredible reviews. I still can’t get over seeing my work spread all over the globe albeit on the back of Sineád’s success.

When she initially approached me I was more impressed that ‘Sineád O’Connor’ was buying my painting than the exposure I’d get being associated with her album. She seemed demure and totally ordinary when I met her first, I was expecting a bit of a ‘diva’ and was blindsided by how totally unaffected she was.
Typically my mouth detached from my brain and I went into verbal autopilot. Herself and her lovely daughter Roisin were examining the painting while I was trying to act unfazed and appear like a self-confident artist – I failed on both counts! Don’t you wish you could reshoot those awkward moments. 
Over the past six months since we first met I’ve had occasional bursts of communication with Sineád, I’ve also watched her highs and desperate lows and worried about her ability to cope with the pressure that she was under.

I saw Sineád perform in the Olympia in Dublin with my daughter Lana (Roisin was one of the backing vocalists) her concert was both emotional and powerful, we were totally blown away. I knew then that her album…ouralbum…would be huge….thanks Sineád, love you.