tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26711009504682854262024-03-12T23:45:24.361+00:00Clare Artist - Wildlife, landscape and Irish LifeWildlife, landscapes and Irish life paintings in oils and acrylics by county Clare, Ireland, artist, Avril Brand.<p>
<a href="http://www.clareartist.com/">www.clareartist.com</a></p>Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-31021815549228052092010-09-03T17:37:00.000+01:002010-09-03T17:37:10.951+01:00Autumn series - oil paintingsAutumn path
Oils on canvas 50 x 50cmAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-70590029443464231392010-09-03T17:34:00.000+01:002010-09-03T17:34:58.129+01:00Autumn series - oil paintingsAutumn Pool
Oils on Canvas 50 x 70 cmAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-1894216141661275932010-07-19T14:02:00.001+01:002010-07-19T14:25:39.424+01:00Mullaghmor - Oil Painting - dedicated to my friend, John Quinn
In memory of my friend, John Quinn who died tragically on Sunday 11 July 2010. John was a kind, soft-spoken and generous man and I am so sorry that he will never get to see this painting that was done from one of his beautiful photographs.
John was a talented photographer and his passing is a great loss, not only to his friends and family but also to County Clare. We will always Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-3622692326394628452010-05-14T16:23:00.001+01:002010-05-14T16:24:33.999+01:00"Old Family Bible and Psalm Book" - oil painting
Oils on canvas 40×40cmThese are some of our most treasured possessions in Ireland. We brought this old Family Bible back from South Africa last year, as well as my father’s very old Psalm book which he used as a child.It took quite a while to do this painting which will remain in our family. Maybe one day, the painting will also be a treasured possession in our family.Thank you to my friend, Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-10834615959600025982010-05-13T11:19:00.001+01:002010-05-13T11:21:22.056+01:00Comments on this blogOk. I am FED UP now. Over the last few weeks and months I have had to delete several comments by spammers trying various ways to link back to websites that I would rather not mention by name as I do not want the words to be picked up by search engines and associated with this blog.
These comments are often in other scripts and other languages. Please stop... it is useless as I will not publish Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-46597786806245336942010-04-29T11:27:00.003+01:002010-05-02T12:02:35.503+01:00"African Lion" - oil painting
Oils on canvas (30×40 inches) (sold)This painting took a long time to complete, mostly because of the large size of the painting. During my visit to South Africa in March 2009, I took photo’s of this majestic male lion who was watching his lionesses stalk our vehicle.Visually, the male lion is highly distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. The lion, particularly the face of the male, Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-46870623676778660012010-04-23T14:06:00.003+01:002010-04-23T14:10:27.941+01:00"Connemara Spring, Ireland" - oil paintingOils on canvas 50×70cmI decided to do most of the work in this painting with the palette knife using crisp, bright colours. Ireland is spring time is a real delight for the eyes and a visit to Connemara is heavenly.Connemara (in Irish: Conamara), which derives from Conmhaicne Mara (meaning: descendants of Con Mhac, of the sea), is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-54496015039900586022010-04-19T15:37:00.001+01:002010-04-19T15:40:26.070+01:00"Teddy Bear Artist" - oil paintingOils on canvas. I love teddy bears. They remind me of my childhood. I really enjoyed doing this painting. The little teddy bear was a gift from my art students and I bought the little jug from a quaint shop in Doolin. The jug had other wording so I changed it to ‘Art if for Everyone’... the name of my art courses. I love this little teddy – it is so cute with a tiny palette, apron Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-39245758008742080942010-04-04T12:41:00.009+01:002010-04-04T13:05:07.665+01:00Invictus was a dream I really enjoyed the movie, Invictus - reminded me of those heady times when we believed there could be peace. I will lose myself in painting today because I need to escape from reality.Bad memories and a deep sadness for ALL the victims and their suffering families throughout the years has come back to haunt me.This is not about one man who lived in the past and had futile and sad illusions, Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-57697920024248360402010-04-01T15:01:00.001+01:002010-04-01T15:04:25.320+01:00"Coffee Time" - still life painting in oilsOils on canvas (50×40cm) I found this quaint old coffee grinder in a shop in Miltown Malbay, County Clare and could not resist doing a still life painting. Cute cups, tea sets and all kinds of lovely items can be found in the shop. And, of course, being a coffee lover, the subject matter kept me refilling the cup. Not good when you are painting as too much caffeine gives you a shaky Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-28907653581746573062010-03-31T14:01:00.015+01:002010-03-31T17:20:36.579+01:00Passion and PainFrom 'headshops' to the illegal trade in endangered animal products: the knee-jerk reaction is always to try and hit the supply. We should be more concerned about the demand. The suppliers will always be there as along as there is a demand. So, maybe it is time to be less sympathetic to those who fuel the suppliers. I find it hard to understand why people smoke, sniff or whatever it is they do Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-81154453980044722472010-03-25T20:14:00.001+00:002010-03-25T20:16:21.381+00:00"Still Life - Fruit" - Oil PaintingOils on canvas 40 x 50 cm (sold)Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-47827277367757703652010-02-27T19:13:00.002+00:002010-02-27T19:18:17.211+00:00"Eye of the Leopard" - Oil PaintingOil on gessoboard (10×8 inches) I love painting eyes and really enjoyed painting this gorgeous leopard’s eye. The leopard (Panthera pardus) has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, although it is of smaller and slighter build. Its fur is marked with similar rosettes to those of the jaguar, though the leopard’s rosettes are Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-3957269054694883312010-02-25T14:45:00.002+00:002010-02-25T14:58:30.161+00:00Art is for Everyone exhibitionOn Thursday, 18th February, we had our second "Art is for Everyone" exhibition at the Kilrush Library, County Clare, Ireland.There were 83 oil paintings by 25 artists of County Clare and they were all incredibly beautiful. The paintings were done on courses during 2009 and some of them were the first paintings ever done by my wonderful students!!!We raised a substantial amount (980euro) for the Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-8689615444085964792010-02-11T18:20:00.003+00:002010-02-11T18:24:59.185+00:00"Fanore Beach - County Clare" - oil paintingOils on canvas 50x70cm. A beautiful beach and a beautiful day in Ireland! Fanore (Fán Óir, "the golden slope", in Irish) is a small village in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. Lying on the road between Ballyvaughan and Doolin, Fanore is renowned for its extensive sandy beach. The village is very popular with walkers, surfers, tourists and is particularly interesting to botanists, Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-61497786785815330602010-02-03T10:54:00.003+00:002010-02-03T11:11:31.371+00:00"Art if for Everyone" - exhibition"Art is for Everyone"Exhibition of Oil Paintings by County Clare Artists18th February to 12th March 2010Kilrush LibraryOpening night: 18th February at 8pmAll Welcome!This is will the second exhibition of oil paintings by my students and I am so proud of each and every one! There will be approximately 82 paintings done on course during 2009. This year we will also have beautiful portraits which Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-71435704148833314212010-01-20T16:38:00.005+00:002010-01-20T16:52:07.250+00:00"O'Sullivans, Kilrush" - oil paintingOils on canvas One of the quaint, old family stores in Kilrush. Hardly anything has changed over the years and this shop is absolutely fascinating – a step back into time in Ireland. The shopkeeper, Donal O’Sullivan kindly posed for me when I told him I would love to paint his shop. I rearranged some items for artistic purposes but the painting is very close to what this fascinating old shop Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-79621201482619841302009-12-24T10:04:00.003+00:002009-12-24T10:08:44.408+00:00Happy Christmas to all!!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your Christmas be peaceful and joyful!Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-17168171724756991052009-11-27T14:56:00.004+00:002009-11-27T15:05:24.873+00:00"Portrait of Katherine - an Irish lady" - oil paintingOils on canvas (commissioned) Portrait in oils of Katherine, a dear and sweet Irish Lady. I really enjoyed doing this portrait – trying to capture Katherine’s sweet smile and gentle face. ... A face full of joy and pain and the many memories of a lifetime.For more information about commissions, just contact me through my website Clare Artist or from my GalleryAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-38453655910247125232009-11-27T14:54:00.004+00:002009-11-27T15:05:06.533+00:00"Memories of Spanish Point" - oil paintingOil on canvas 30×40 inches (commissioned) A very special painting for my dear friend, Bridget, remembering a time when she and her dearly departed husband watched the dolphins at Spanish Point. May your memories of that day always be with you, dear Bridget and comfort you when you feel alone.Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-49534312774844129972009-11-25T16:50:00.002+00:002009-11-25T16:53:09.802+00:00"Polar Bear on Ice" - Oil paintingOils on canvas I have been working on this painting for several months and now, I think, it is finished… The temptation to add more and more is an artist’s greatest dilemma… knowing when to stop! The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a bear native largely within the Arctic circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world’s largest Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-22987364099952706252009-10-17T18:49:00.001+01:002009-10-17T18:51:45.629+01:00Oils on canvasThe Kilrush Art Group meets every Friday evening at the community hall but on Friday 16 October the hall was being used for another function so our group made our way to the Life Boat Station in Cappa.I wish I had my camera but as usual, its never with me for the most spectacular natural scenes. Purples, pinks, bright yellow and gorgeous blues greeted us as we arrived at the stationAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-22811071294960309032009-10-14T15:35:00.001+01:002009-10-14T15:35:49.177+01:00METRO Photo Challenge: Tsitsikamma WaveMETRO Photo Challenge: Tsitsikamma WaveShared via AddThisAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-69374071371316442532009-10-04T16:01:00.006+01:002009-10-04T16:10:32.496+01:00"Bluebell Heaven" - oil paintingOil on canvas (commissioned) A larger image can be seen on my gallery. This very special painting was commissioned by my dear friend, Bridget. She saw my first bluebell painting and wanted one of her own to commemorate her beloved father and husband. She kindly gave me permission to write the story of this painting. She lost her father to cancer several years ago and her husband was tragicallyAvril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671100950468285426.post-4352219309269955842009-09-28T17:53:00.008+01:002009-09-28T18:24:34.177+01:00Art Courses: 2010The program of 2010 art courses are posted on my website as well as news about student exhibitions, the working studio and art suppliers. So, if you have the time, pop in to take a look. There are also special one week painting holiday courses next year - only two for the year - so if you are interested, please book early as the courses fill up very quickly.I am very happy about the easels and Avril Brandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999189772401528299noreply@blogger.com1