New paintings and prints of Clonmel

For the last three weeks I have been working on images of Clonmel that people have asked about or commissioned. I have always tried to stay away from drawing the old reliable scenes that have been worked over a thousand times but in all fairness when somebody say's How can you have a Clonmel Collection without the West Gate or the Main Guard? There is no answer to that. As the Print collection expands I have received many requests from people for these areas to be included. The present West Gate was built by a Merchant called Joyce in the 1830's
The present building stands on the site of the original West Gate and formed part of the defences of the town.

In Kilkenny Yesterday

I travelled to Kilkenny yesterday to collect some visual info for a set of prints. On Tuesday I met an artist friend of mine who suffered a stroke last year it has left him with speech and mobility difficulties. Yesterday in the city I seemed to be more aware of the problems facing people with disabilities. I watched a young guy on a motorized wheelchair being blocked in by a driver, who showed no consideration for his plight. A man who had obviously suffered a stroke and walked with the aid of a stick was trying to negotiate his way down a steep hill in the town and keep his balance. His concentration was incredible.

I have decided to use my blog as a sketchbook it seems the way to go for me. I found the streets of Kilkenny more interesting than the monuments and the touristy things. The city is full of narrow lanes and archways like arteries leading to the centre.