Climb every mountain! :)

“There are far better things ahead than the ones we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis

Passion for Impasto !!

impasto

/ɪmˈpastəʊ/

noun

ART

1. the process or technique of laying on paint or pigment thickly so that it stands out from a surface.

   • paint applied thickly.

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   … I’m actually not too sure how my adventures in impasto started.  A friend of mine (Lynda!) bought me some nice new paint and it was calling out to be layered up and these are the results!

    

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Moyra Blayney Art – The People’s Painters

Tuesday 18th September 2018 saw the final filming for our art programme for BBC NI .. The People’s Painters !! We had a lovely evening at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast to celebrate the end of a busy couple of months.  I’d like to thank my fellow artists – Diane, Tessa, Mark and Darren who were all so talented (and funny!)  It was a joy to get to know them! Also to local artist  Nigel Allison for his encouraging words and help and all the Alleycats TV folk and especially Brian, our cameraman – hard work but worth it!!  It was also lovely to meet our presenter Kerry McLean – a lovely lady!  Not too sure when the programmes will be broadcast …but watch this space! 🙂

I’d also really like to say a huge thanks to my twin sister Denise … my niece Sarah and brother in law Norman …for cheering me on when things got a bit busy!!  Thanks you!!!

 

The People’s Painters – Update

Yesterday was a big filming day for the upcoming amateur painting series at the F E McWilliam Gallery (photo by Alleycats TV) …I’m fortunate enough to be one of the artists involved and the other four have now become firm friends – their work is superb!!  Not too sure when the three half hour programmes will be aired but will keep you informed!

Working with my work colleagues!

When someone mentioned a lunchtime art session at the office… I thought it may be me and a couple of other workmates!  I never imagined ten people would give up their lunch hour to come and try their hand at watercolour floral rings!!  I was very impressed with their concentration and their finished artwork – amazingly good!  It was lovely to see how everyone concentrated on their work … listening to Fleetwood Mac must have helped – 🙂 !!  It was a joy!

Some nice comments followed on my Facebook page … (blowing my own tiny trumpet here!!) ….

• Really enjoyed my art session Mo. Brilliant teacher 🌷
• You’re a natural teacher! Thank you 😀
• We should do it more often!
• Thank you Mo. Enjoyed art class 😃
• I can feel the concentration from here!! So sorry I missed it!! The results are fabulous!  You bring out the artist within – what a talent that is 💝

Exciting news !

A few folk told me I should apply for a new BBC NI programme looking for local artists …and I did!! The exciting news is that I was picked …along with four other artists to appear in three programmes being recorded at the moment! I haven’t started my three paintings – inspired by Belfast Artist William Conor – yet! Yesterday we started filming (7 hours!!) and we have a lot work ahead of us but I am EXCITED …to say the least. Wish me well … it’s going to be a busy two months 

103 year old artwork!

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Well…not really 🙂 ! I have to admit I adore books. Not brand new… spine not yet broken books. I love books with a musty smell, pencil notes in the margin and foxing (is that the correct term?) on the pages. A few years back I bought a book for 50p in Belfast …falling apart but over 100 years old …how could I resist? But it’s been sitting doing nothing for three years. So in order to give these old pages a new life …I decided to do little watercolour and pen art on them. I like the way they’ve turned out. If you’re interested in having your own wee piece of history … just get in touch !

 

Some landscapes …

 

Deaf Awareness Week – Art Session

Well…that’s another two hour teaching session under my belt!! 🙂  This time we had both deaf and hearing people painting together (with our BSL interpreter!) at a Deaf Awareness Week event.  We had a wonderful couple of hours using the Sostrene Grenes art materials!  We started out by drawing practice, then progressed to techniques of applying the watercolour paint and finally the small group produced some wonderful floral rings! It’s amazing to think that some of these people have never painted before!!  Wow…very impressed!  Well done x

Update – Søstrene Grene art demo day!

Wow …what a day! To say that the Søstrene Grene art event was a success would be an understatement. We had so many folk trying the art supplies…and I could not have survived without my twin sister Denise of Denise’s Boxes / Denise McDowell Art!! She was superb with the younger ones who wanted to try to paint sunflowers and floral rings…amazingly patient and encouraging…thank you sis!! Thanks again to the staff and Manager – Nuala – from the Belfast Ann Street store – it was a joy!! 🙂 … so happy it went well and some folk even bought the art bundle to continue their creativity at home 🙂 !!

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