Author: Margaret Dukeman

Rays of Sunshine Warm Our Lives

Some days the sunshine’s out without even being seen. Today the sun shone brightly and warmed all inside a pub called “The Anvil Pub”, in the small town of Boolteens, Castlemaine, Ireland. They hosted a gathering of our world’s golden treasures, a group of the older generation. They were taking turns singing songs of years ago and dancing to old favorites. Being allowed to share in their performance is a memory I shall never forget! Nothing is better than sweet memories.

Events like this are what I bring to my Irish paintings, through the feelings I get and the warmth it brings my heart.

People make the land through their presence, curiosity, kindness and hard work.

I’ve been very fortunate to have brushed the sleeves of so many kind people. I’ve always felt the lifeblood of the land was its people. Without meeting the people you can’t possibly understand and love the land. In Ireland many families have worked and nurtured the same land for many generations. They know each rock, stream and blade of grass. Land is incredibly valued as it was taken away so many times in their history.

Another strong ray of sunshine appeared as I was invited by Liz, (owner of “The Anvil Pub”) to visit the inspiration to the name of her establishment. Across the street stood a four generation blacksmith shop filled with years of craftsmanship and love.

Front window sill of storage
The village farmer’s brands for the sheep’s horns
Four generations of hand-forged horseshoes

Inside was nearly three centuries of creations and history, through the farmer’s brands on the door, hand-wrought horseshoes from all the years past, along with years and years of decorative metal for churches, fences and homes. He definitely is a cornerstone to his village and you could feel the lifeblood of his family inside the four walls. The love this man has for his craft was quite obvious and being allowed to move about the space was a wonderful opportunity. I wish him many more years of time to share his love of metal. His contribution to the community and land gave me yet another memory to bring to my paintings.

What are YOUR rays of sunshine? Leave them in the comments below.

Amazing Ireland!

The exhibition is up and open, so I’m off to find the best of the Irish backroads to photograph, create and inspire.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Many of the photographs I take will find their way to the easel, while others will help inspire and some will be used as supportive means of creativity and reminders of the feelings and emotions that were present in Ireland.

By using the backroads I’m able to find things that others pass by on the big wide fast roads: back roads force you to drive more slowly so you see what’s around you.

When was the last time you stopped for a ruin and started crawling around inside?

I’m sure many of you are wondering what I could possibly find in a ruin. Check out the way this old window hole frames the landscape outside. Without going inside I never would have known what it had to offer.

Cahermore, Ireland | ©️Margaret Dukeman

PAINTINGS

The magic of this one is not alone the framing of the landscape, although that is pretty darn impressive. 1) Check out the stones and the directions they are turned and the texture they bring to the photo. 2) The deep dark shadows that help add a higher degree of contrast to the composition and balance the brightness of the landscape. Now we have a photo worth making it to the easel…maybe. It takes more than a great photo to be a painting for me.

Lehanmore, Beara Peninsula, Ireland

Today I found myself hiking up a mountain and sitting on the top. It started out as a way to see the view and what was on the other side. However while sitting, I spent time writing, thinking and creating. There was nothing to interrupt my thoughts up there and everything seemed as clear as the skies. I find there is nothing better than the outdoors to make you feel truly alive and able to take-on whatever life might throw your way.

Not a bad end to a day on the top!

Lehanmore & Dursey Island | ©️Margaret Dukeman

Ireland Exhibition Opens!

My newest solo exhibition: “For The Love of The Land” opened in Allihies, Ireland on August 10, 2018. The exhibition consists of 24 paintings illustrating my affinity for the land and animals of Ireland. It will hang at the Allihies Copper Mine Museum and Gallery until September 7, 2018.

Allihies Copper Mine Museum & Gallery, Allihies, Ire.

Growing up in a family with many generations of farmers I have a real appreciation for the land and all it provides. Land is truly the life-blood of the farmer and the family. I remember growing up at my Grandparents’ house and being told to “shush” when the noontime farm report came on and then again when the weather report was on. The farm report told them the price of commodities for the day, while the weather report determined their day and their worries: Were the crops getting what they needed or were lean times ahead? All of this made a big impression on me as a child and definitely formed my appreciation for the land.

Big skies bring big possibilities for me. I love the wide array of colors and the power that they hold inside. Whether they are a strong cobalt blue or if they carry heavy dark storm clouds their magnitude is a beauty to behold. Winds rolling across the prairie were such a refreshing welcome on a hot Summer’s day as a child. I also loved laying on the grass and making the clouds into characters.

My affinity for these elements is what also helped along my strong connection with the land. Today I spend around six weeks a year walking the lands of my ancestors in Ireland. Here is where I find a real connection and sense of peace with my roots and the sacrifices, determination and true grit that they must have had to make the long emigration by boat from Ireland to America.

“Woolie”, 12”x12” Oil on Board

Feeling at peace is so important…Where do you feel most at peace in your life?

Please leave yours in the comments I’d love to know!

ITTY BITTY TEENY TINY

Challenging my Art

I like a good challenge even in my art so I decided to buy the smallest boards I could find and see if I could translate 3’x7′ down to 4″x4″. First I had to figure out just exactly what the subject matter would be. I went back to one I was familiar with…Flowers. Continue reading “ITTY BITTY TEENY TINY”

Five Days, 2 Bags and an Exhibition to Go!

FIVE DAYS | With five days left before I leave for my six weeks in Ireland it’s starting to become crunch time. Time to wind up projects I’ve been working on and start putting together my mobile art studio. For me the piles have start forming of things that can’t be forgotten. This is how I pre-pack the week before I leave. How could anyone be expected to remember everything while packing?

TWO BAGS | My two bags consist of one carry-on and a large checked bag. Anyone who knows me would Continue reading “Five Days, 2 Bags and an Exhibition to Go!”

The Packing & Countdown have started!

Seven and Counting…

Seven and counting…One week from today I’ll be heading to Ireland. Boarding that jet with my paintings for exhibition, my camera, watercolor supplies and just a few clothes. I can’t think of any way better to spend six weeks than creating, writing and exploring this land of my ancestors! Inspiration comes when I slow down to a delightfully slow pace on two-tire track roads with grass growing in the middle. These are roads that wind and turn as they find their way around the mountains, valleys and stonewall lined fields.

Quilted Valley, Mountain and Skies | 16”x20” | oil on board

Continue reading “The Packing & Countdown have started!”

Exploring Seattle

Time away from the studio is always a time filled with adventure and collectively capturing ideas. I’m loving the lower temps of the Pacific West! It makes for beautiful days in the sun walking the streets and exploring the waterways. Continue reading “Exploring Seattle”

The Rolling Hills & Country Roads of the Plains

Growing up I really enjoyed the gravel roads of Iowa. Growing up in the country we took these roads frequently back and forth to town. Even as a child I loved the ditches along side the roads with their beautiful flowers and the fence posts that you could see going by…as long as you weren’t going too fast. Going too fast can also be fun though because there is a bit of a sliding factor that always can become exciting. Continue reading “The Rolling Hills & Country Roads of the Plains”

The Lady Jane’s Have Arrived!

These little species tulips are always one of the first treasures to arrive in the Spring. They are dainty and very lady-like.  Their soft pink color is like that of lipstick.  These girls always have their legs crossed and behave brilliantly.  They are my visual promise that Spring is very close.  I so look forward to their appearance and really hate it when they leave.

What is your visual promise of Spring?
Continue reading “The Lady Jane’s Have Arrived!”

Greetings from “Herman”!

Okay, so I’ve been asked multiple times to write a blog about what it is I do in and out of the studio as an artist. As the new year started I decided I would give it a try. I enjoy writing, but you will have to forgive the mis-placed commas as that isn’t one of my strong suits. So let’s give this a try. Continue reading “Greetings from “Herman”!”