GOLLY GOUACHE! WHAT A BUSY APRIL

"Sweet April showers do spring May flowers"
Thomas Tusser

That fellow Thomas Tusser was right. This April the Irish weather decided to bestow upon us a full dose of rain, hail, and snow showers with a little sunshine thrown in. But it is true that during this month, nature has been busy preparing our gardens and countryside for a lovely summer ahead (we hope).  The animals around here have been busy too.  

I live on a rural lane in Delgany, Co. Wicklow and have recently spotted a lot of 100% Irish wildlife on my doorstep.  Apart from the occasional wild looking hill walker, I've also seen foxes, rabbits, pheasant, badger, robin, vole and of course the many buzzards that hover over the garden.  

Inspired by all this wild loveliness, I had an an artistic 'calling' to research into the real story of 'the' most common Irish woodland animals and illustrate them.  Out came the gouache paints and here we have it!  A new print now available for parents to buy for their kids to remind them of all the lovely little crathurs they must learn the names of, and keep their eyes open for, on their travels around the Irish countryside (not to mention a lovely piece of wall art for their bedrooms).  /store/p347/IRISH_WOODLAND_ANIMALS_PRINT.html

RESEARCH IS FUN

While I was having fun researching Irish woodland animals, I also spent a lot of interesting time researching the village of Malahide, Co. Dublin for an illustrated map project I've been working on.

I love a challenge and this was just what the doctor ordered.  I've learnt loads about Malahide which, may I add, is a gem of a place chockablock full of heritage, things to do and places to go.

The more I found out about Malahide the more difficult it was to leave anything out of the map (which I'm sure I did).  But for the record Malahiddians, I did my best to include as much important info as I could while at the same time keeping it as hairy fruity as it deserved.

The illustrated map of Malahide was painted in gouache and has become a new print on offer which is now up on my website to purchase. http://www.hairyfruitart.com/maps.html 
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