staycation | LIAM O’FARRELL

staycation Posted Saturday, 15th of August

We had one of those notorious “staycations”. Camping in Yorkshire. The campsite was in Glaisdale, this being a tiny village in the nook of the North Yorkshire moors. I say campsite. Really it was just a small patchwork of fields huddled around a few stone built farm buildings.

It is ruled by well meaning octogenarian martinet. She had festooned the whole site with impromptu signage warning that you transgress at your peril. It was everywhere. Everything had a sign, with a punishment to match.

She spotted me sketching and I was cornered. Once she was satisfied I was not checking up on her from the council I was marched into the house to see her dads drawings. After the tour was complete she insisted on showing me what she was most proud of. Even more than dads drawings! A framed certificate which was presented for winning a gooseberry competition. On closer inspection I noticed it was dated. Dated 1944! I could help feeling a little scared.

After escapingI painted a picture of nearby Robin Hoods Bay.Lovely place too.

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a sketch of columbia road Posted Sunday, 2nd of August

I am currently battling away with a painting of Columbia road flower market. I say battling because when the market is open it is utter mayhem. A virtual 80’s trading floor at the summit of a black Wednesday. There are great eddying tides of people heavy with boxes of plants and flowers elbowing each other [...]

the leaves are green? Posted Thursday, 2nd of July

I visited the Stanley Spencer Gallery the other week and like many artists I jammed my nose right up to the canvas to dissect the mysteries of technique and style. I noticed flecks of sky blue on the top of the leaves. It was pure blue and fairly strong as well. I stood back and [...]

royal academy summer exhibition Posted Sunday, 14th of June

I am pleased to say that my recent work “Waiting’ successfully made it into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition this year. (click on the image to view it larger) The opening event was an odd day. I expected to turn up at Burlington House, have a few glasses of wine with the great and the [...]