Kiss Me, I’m Irish (sort of)

I’ve added another wet one to my watercolor kiss series as my annual March/ St. Patrick’s Celtic tribute.

The popular colloquialism actually stems from the legend of the Blarney stone.
The ‘Cloch na Blarnan’ is a stone built into the battlements of Castle Blarney in County Cork, Ireland. Kissing this stone is said to endow one with the gift of gab (excellence in flattery and persuasiveness).
The legends are varied and many regarding the stone’s origins, but one says that Cormac MacCarthy, the castle’s builder, asked the Irish goddess Clíodhna to help him win a lawsuit. She told him to kiss the first stone he found in the morning on his way to court. He did so, and won his case very successfully. He then placed the stone into the parapet of the Blarney castle. There are other legends that attribute the stone to the Holy Land, but the first legend has more of a Celtic flair, so that’s the one I’ll stick to. As a sidenote, the staff at Blarney castle believe a witch saved from drowning told the MacCarthy family about the stone’s power.

Kiss Me
Watercolor

Whatever the source of its power, heads of state, literary giants, and Hollywood stars have gone to Ireland to plant one on a rock with the hopes of being supernaturally blessed with great eloquence. Millions of people from around the world have traveled to Cork to kiss the famous stone. If someone mentioned wanting to kiss the legendary stone, an Irish person would jokingly say, “Kiss me, I’m Irish”.

That’s how the phrase, and its proliferation, began. Whether from the mouth of a full-blooded Irish citizen, or a tipsy lass whose great, great grandmother was from Ireland, <em>sort of</em>, those words are now part of our vernacular, and we love ‘em. Even if you aren’t Irish, who could blame you for saying that bit of ‘blarney’ to get a kiss?

The colors of this kiss painting represent the national flag of Ireland;
Green represents the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, orange represents the protestant followers of William of Orange, and the white middle bar is the hope for peace between them.

The original watercolor painting has already been spoken for,

but you can order a hand signed print  by clicking the buy now button below,

(dreneewilson.com watermark does not appear on actual print)
Or you can customize your own Kiss Me print on canvas, metal, acrylic, etc. by clicking here.And since this particular painting is of such a social nature, I made sure to make it available
in my Cafe Press shop on apparel, decor, and gift items so you can show your love for Ireland, and maybe even get a few kisses out at the pub. 

Until next time~

The Lawn Care Kismet

 Today started off like this.

 It wasn't exactly easy to get going with a couple pounds of pure sweetness slumbering on me. And by the time I got up and moving around, I knew today would be one of those days when it's hard to get a whole lot accomplished.
 After my morning routine and email check, I decided to dally a bit longer before getting into the studio to paint. Ten minutes turned into almost two hours (damn you internet!) and I had to unplug and step outside to get in the right frame of mind. I needed to realign, if you will. I laced up and headed to the trail.
 The first two miles of my run on the trail were hot and painful.
I was not enjoying myself at all. So, I decided to walk.
Instead of using the time to multitask by listening to a podcast, I took my ear buds out and listened to the symphony of the swamp.
 It was unusually loud today. The cicadas clicked and whirred to a soft roar. I spent a few minutes thinking about all I needed to get done, then a few more, and a few more. (I'm sure I was missing any inspiring animal encounters that were near the trail because I was so wrapped up in the to-do list.)
I stopped myself after mile four and forced my mind to quiet down. Every time a task would pop into my mind, I would counter it with an acknowledgment of gratitude. Eventually, the thoughts of thankfulness began to flow.
  I came to a bench where I sometimes stop to look up at the spanish moss swaying in the wind.

(I meant to take a picture of a huge turtle in the swamp, but I was distracted by this lovely creature and missed the turtle.)

I laid across the metal bench and stared at the sky. Today was the first day this week that thunderheads were replaced by fluffy white clouds rolling along gracefully. I thought for a moment that my heaven probably looks a lot like this. There will, of course, be a full spectrum of autumn leaves and smells in my afterlife bliss, but this was so close.
 I let myself be still. Not trying to listen, but allowing space for inspiration. Maybe a new idea for a painting? An animal muse crossing my path?
 Whether it is divine or just our inner self speaking, I strongly believe that in the quiet mind, we will find our guidance. Most of my biggest successes in my art and life in general have come from a still, small, but clear voice in this state.
                                                              Cut the grass.
Wait, what?
 Cut the grass.


The rain had kept my husband from cutting the grass this week and it was getting pretty long.
This wouldn't be a big deal, but we have a reel mower. ( No motor!)

It's my husband's way to get an extra workout and save a sliver of the environment when he does the lawn. I love him for it and it's really not too bad. It's one of the best push mowers on the market, but it is 50lbs and we have an incline on our lawn. Trust me, you feel it.
  So, after another urge to go cut the grass, I got up from the bench and walked the remaining two miles home. Podcasts lined up, wet towel on my neck and donning a visor, I pulled the Fiskar (yep, they make scissors, too) into the 88F feels like 95F yard.
 I battled the side section first, since it's on an incline, too. I had to go over it several times, adjusting the blade height down with each round.
After 25 minutes I had the side done.
I brought the mower to the front yard and did the first two passes trying to go downhill. This was going to be a long battle. I was starting to regret the 6 miles on the trail. I wasn't going to get anything else done today!

As I did the strip by the road, a large truck passed by and stopped at a stop sign. I heaved the 50lb beast back up to our Oleanders and tried to circle them. The sandy soil caught the wheels and I struggled, but got it back down the hill for another pass. As I neared the road, I noticed the truck backing up toward our house.
 The truck stopped in front of me and the windows came down. I'm sure I was a sight to behold. Red faced and soaked with sweat.

"You want a free mow?"

"I'll be alright. My husband usually does it, but I want to get it done before it rains again."

"You want it to look like you did it?"

 Long story short, these guys asked their boss if they should stop and come back because they couldn't watch me push that mower in the Florida heat. They wouldn't even let me pay them. I tried.

Since the owner, Corey, wouldn't let me pay him, I asked what his wife decorates with.
It turned out that his wife is a graphic designer and they were both in the printing business.
He said she likes turtles, but I don't have any Slow and Steady signed prints yet, so I asked if she likes frogs. I gladly gave him signed prints of Atoadment and Kiss It.

I did ask for cards, and you can be sure that Safari Lawn Care will be getting our business next time.
With a 3 person crew and professional equipment, they knocked it out in under 15 minutes.
It would have taken me over 3 hours.

 So, I actually did get a little painting done today, and my husband is spared from this week's bout with the lawn. Who knows, maybe a zebra painting is in my future.

What would look good on your wall? (GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!)

 As a thank you to my Facebook Likers & Followers, I'm having a print giveaway!

 To enter you simply like my Facebook page, "like" this photo, and comment with your picks.
The winner will be chosen randomly from participants on 4/20, and will receive a hand signed 8x10 archival print of her/his choice (from available stock).
  
  Thanks for all of your support & being a part of my online tribe in artwork & play!
Good luck!!!
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Shamrock Searching & A Run O' Luck

Detail of watercolor "Run O' Luck"

 Since leaving Savannah, every year I celebrate St. Paddy's Day with a little bit of sadness and a ton of nostalgia.  If you've ever experienced the magic and mayhem of a Savannah St. Pat's, you know what I mean. As a SCAD student, our spring break was always scheduled around St. Patrick's Day.
(There's just no way to realistically hold college classes amidst a throng of three quarters of a million people, many with deep Irish roots and some just pretending to be Irish for a day, if not all week.)
 I miss the smiling faces of my friends romping through the historic district and the Guinness fueled revelry of Tybee Island's Irish Heritage Parade. And to be quite honest, though at the time it seemed a special level of hell, I really do miss tending bar during the greenest week of the year.

Celtic Peacocks, original in private collection, prints available.

 To cheer myself during the St. Patrick's season the past couple of years, I've had my own little celebration of my ancestry and favorite European culture by painting a Celtic themed piece whilst imbibing a few pints of the black stuff. Although the phrase "Luck of the Irish" is usually misused and taken out of historical context (it was first coined as an ironic phrase), this year I focused on the concept of luck.

  The traditional symbol of Saint Patrick is a shamrock with three leaves; each one representing a figure in the Holy Trinity. The shamrock was also seen by Brits as a symbol of dissent during the 19th century and worn to promote Irish nationalism.

Run O' Luck

  It's no surprise that with a misunderstood phrase like "Luck of the Irish", many people would associate the popular lucky "charm" of a four-leaf clover with Ireland.
 Traditions says that each leaf of the 4-leaf clover stands for something-
~faith       ~hope      ~love      ~luck
 It's also estimated that there are 10,000 three-leaf shamrocks for every four-leaf clover found. Those aren't great odds, but there are clover collectors that have found as many as 160,000 recorded 4-leafs.

 But have you ever found a four-leaf clover? 
I've found a handful in my life; crawling around through the soft clover, breathing in the freshness of a cool day while the sun shines on my skin. When you find one, it really is like you hit the jackpot.
 I don't think I'd want a 4-leaf someone else picked. You do have to look pretty hard, but isn't that the fun of it?
It's all in the search.

 The core of St. Patrick's 3-leaf shamrock Trinity illustration and any good luck charm is faith.
Our belief dictates what we see. If we see our luck as running out, it probably will.
Our thought patterns train our brains to recognize what we tell them to see.

But maybe if we choose to focus on the minute details and evidence that things actually are going pretty swell, we will see our good luck mixing in, around, and overflowing.
Sometimes a physical trinket or charm helps to remind me to shift to a more positive mindset, and that's totally worth any eye rolling I may get from others.
 Many say a four-leaf clover is very lucky while others say you make your own luck. To both I say, yes.
And this year, I made both.

 What's your lucky charm?

Emerald Eyes

What floats your boat?

 Water is a constant inspiration for me. (As you can see.)
Which one of my water themed pieces do you like best? 
Every piece of art I make is an outlet or a conduit for a specific group of emotions or memories.
Each one of them illustrates a piece of me or something that I or a client experienced.

 Just from looking at them visually, which artwork speaks to you right now?
Everyone has a different interpretation, and art is totally subjective. But the art we choose can say a lot about where we are right now.
Leave a comment and let me know why that one resonated with you.
(You can also join the conversation on my Facebook  page or Twitter.)

Details on each piece are below, the bold text is what your art choice might be telling you.

1.  Something In The Water ~
11" x 15", Watercolor & Ink 

   This piece was inspired by a friend's engagement and wedding.
I'm a big fan of love, especially when it took two people a while to find each other.  
 When you've had  a not-so-fairy-tale long-term relationship or marriage and it ends, it can be hard to swim back into the deep end. Do it anyway. It's worth it. True love will find you in the end.
 If you chose this piece, I'm guessing you're in love or really want to be. You're a true romantic that values people and relationships. Dive in, it's waiting for you. ;)

2.  Moonlit Tide
 16" x 20", mixed media pastel, original in private collection, prints available

  I used to live on a magical and very quirky island, Tybee Island, GA.
Now, I'm in Florida. I can still make it to the beach in 30-40 minutes, but it is not the same.
I miss hearing the ocean lullaby every night, but most of all, I miss the full moon dancing on the night sea. I painted this one night when I was pining away for my little beach town and all of the wonderful friends that call it home. I think the loneliness I feel in Florida came through in this piece, but also the part of me that really likes solitude in nature. 
If you chose this piece, you're probably in a place like that right now. 
It's okay to be a recluse. Take a break and escape somewhere that you can be still.
Sometimes the moon seems to shine brightest when there are clouds hiding her from the stars. 

3.  Mark Of A Perfect Day
16" x 20" oil canvas, private commission

  I paint memorial portraits for people all the time, but this was a very special commission for me. 
A landscape isn't usually interesting for me if it's from someone's direction, but this story was as touching and beautiful as the beach in the painting.

 A young wife wanted to give her husband a painting for Christmas to help him remember his father that had passed away. The last good memory he had was having lunch on a beach in the Florida Keys.
 I was especially touched by the story. I wanted to make this the most peaceful and happy beach I could while still making it look like the view they had during that meal. It seemed like a challenge, but making someone's good memories last is one of the greatest pay offs in my work. Mark was the client's father's name, hence the title. So, I was very relieved and joyful when the painting was received with heartfelt thanks and praise. <3

  If you chose this painting, you might be in need of a nice beach break. Maybe it's cold where you are and some tropical breezes would be welcome. I'm also betting you're the sentimental type that has crystal clear memories and tons of photos.
 
4. Throne
16" x 20", textured plaster & acrylic
  This piece was created with quite a few underlying meanings, underlying being the key word.
I am fascinated by and have a deep respect for the sea. There's something about water and the ocean that calls to me again and again. But- there is always a slight discomfort about what lies beneath the waves. (There's also an iron islands reference for you GOT fans. ;) )
 I could go on and on about this piece, instead I'll leave you with a Frida Kahlo quote-

"“I drank to drown my sorrows, but the damned things learned how to swim.”

There is a lot to be said for the texture of this piece and the figures within. If you chose this painting, you are probably drawn to fluid movement, whether it's water or dancing. You're physical and tactile with lots of kinetic energy. You feel restless if pent up and need freedom, even if others say it's a little hazardous.


 5. Release
30" x 48", torn letters and sennelier pastel on canvas
 This piece is very personal and could be an entire blog post in itself, so I'll save it as such.
Just know it was created from a box of old love letters. I tore them up and created a "self-portrait" of sorts. This piece was made for a group show titled Beauty for Ashes.
  If you chose this piece, you're a water baby, too. But, you may sometimes submerse yourself in heavy mental and spiritual quicksand. Relationships and commitments are important, but you might need to come up for air. Don't drown in whatever is miring you down, wash it off and let it go.

6. Certainties
   8" x 10", textured plaster & acrylic
Fun, textured, pure, energetic and simple. 
 If you chose this piece, I'd like to hang out with you. You're bold, bright, and you bring it.
You see silver linings and possess an uncommon optimism while remaining honest and uncomplicated. Never let anyone convince you to be serious and stop playing, you're too smart for that. ;)



7.  Matsya
 38" x 18" textured plaster & acrylic on wood

The legend of Matsya is very similar to other Great Flood myths. According to the Matsya Purana, the king of pre-ancient North India was washing his hands in a river when a little fish swam into his hands and pleaded with him to save its life. He put it in a jar, which it soon outgrew. He then moved it to a tank, a river and then finally the sea. The fish then revealed himself to be Vishnu and told him that a deluge would occur within seven days that would destroy all life. Therefore, he was instructed to take "all medicinal herbs, all the varieties of seeds, and accompanied by the seven saints” along with animals. Sound familiar?
  The colors of soothing, cool waters saturate this piece featuring a figure in matsyasana, or fish pose. I created this piece to remind myself that the deluges of life are not always meant to drown me, but to wash away the unnecessary obstacles I may be clinging to. Let the riptide take you out, go with the flow, and know that the current may sweep you to better shores. 
 If you chose this piece, you are a deeply relaxed person that appreciates stillness while the world swirls and unfolds around you. But if you're stressed right now, this piece might be calling you to lay back. Go ahead, flop into a fish pose. Your heart will thank you for it. <3

8. Outswimming Typhon
19" x 30" textured plaster on wooden skate decks
 The story and mythology behind this one deserves its own post, but I will say that
the decks were given to me by a collector's twin sons. I wasn't sure what to do with them until I learned they were Pisces and their mother believed they were reincarnated together after one killed the other in a past life. (Yeah, I know.) In Greek mythology, Typhon was known as the "Father of All Monsters". Aphrodite and her son Eros (aka Venus and Cupid) transformed into fish to escape Typhon.
 If you chose this piece, you could be the type of person that is a great companion. You're lively, supportive, and fiercely loyal. Your friends or significant other mean the world to you. You couldn't imagine leaving them to fight off bigger fish alone. Swimming solo is nice sometimes, but where's the fun in that? 

9. Reflecting on the River
16" x 20", textured plaster & acrylic
 This piece was inspired by a blissful day on the black back waters of the St. Johns River.
Taking it slow and surrounding myself with nature is my way to recharge. It's also my sanctuary.
The cypress trees and their knees stand like members in the choir as I roll by to the alter call.
I feel like I am most grateful, reverent, and able to be clearly reflective when I'm in the hammocks.
 If you chose this one, you know where I'm coming from. You love nature and everything in it. Manicured city parks are boring and way too loud. You like to be in a wild place where the animals and breeze in the trees is the only action. You're ready for a quiet ride in the boat. We'll let the birds do all the talking.