Monk's Fishing House, Cong, Ireland

Monk's Fishing House - Cong, Ireland

Today has been a blessed "stay-at-home" day, doing only what "I want to do" stuff...(I love those days!) I went for a nice long walk with Captain Jack and D.O.G., and once again marvelled at how beautiful it is here, and how lucky I am to live in a place where I can walk for forty five minutes and hardly pass another house. The mists were hanging low today, but it made everything a little more magical, with the orange of the autumn leaves contrasting with the greyness everywhere else. 

I'd meant to use this as a thumbnail (only slightly larger) to plan a painting that I have envisioned, but it ended up being more of a fully realized sketch, and a pretty good value study, as well. It seems I get a bit fascinated with detail, and can't just stop at a study.

Anyways, this is from a shot I took while in Ireland in 2009. It is near Cong Abbey, and it is the Monk's Fishing House.  It is equipped with a hole in the floor, so that the monks could drop their nets and fish in the warmth and comfort of their little cottage with the fire blazing in the hearth.  It is thought that a line was connected from the fishing house to the monastery kitchen to alert the cook to fresh fish. is very, very old, assumed to be 15th century. There is more info here if you're interested.

The Old Time Hat -- Accepted!!

The Old Time Hat  8" x 10" oil on canvas panel

I just got news today that this painting was accepted into the Federation of Canadian Artists "Small, Smaller, Smallest" show! Yay!!

Daddy's Girl -- Father and Daughter

Daddy's Girl - 8" x 10" oil on canvas

I can't resist a picture like this! I love any picture that shows the interaction between people, but the love between a parent and a child is the best. This is my "big, tough, cousin", Corey. He looks mean, but has a heart of gold...sorry Corey! You're secret's out, lol! 

Also...I'm participating in a linking blog party at Kirsty girl...she's a great funny girl and clever blogger, who takes marvelous pictures, I especially like her kitty cats...

Down by the Sea

Down by the Sea 4" x 6" watercolor pen and ink

I liked my little sand dollar so much, that I decided to do a little series of seaside themed cards. I think I'll turn them into a set of notecards soon. (Did I mention that already? Probably, lol!) I'm suffering from dementia in my 30's!! Man...does the brain ever recover from bearing children?

Anyways...it's refreshing to go back to the basics every once in a while, and not take my art so damn seriously! I'm enjoying these little guys, and I love the ocean...so I'll keep ya posted.

Cheers!

"At the seaside" -- sand dollars

Sand Dollar - 4" x 6" watercolor

©Tahirih Goffic, 2011

I was fiddling around with my new Windsor and Newton watercolors the other night, with an idea for a gift tag for a special order and I came up with this little image. I've always been fascinated with Sand Dollars and their simplicity and beauty and they remind me of playing with my daughter at the seaside, on our special trip to Tofino. This one looks better bigger, so please click away! 

I'm planning on doing a set of seaside/seashell themed gift cards for my shop, so keep your eyes peeled:)

West Coast Native American Dancer Portrait

"Light Dancer II"

9" x 12" oil on canvas

©2011 Tahirih Goffic

This is a commissioned piece that I finished recently, for a lovely German couple I met this summer. They saw and purchased another painting of mine, Light Dancer, at the Eagle Lodge, and were eager to meet me and see more of my work. They wanted another painting, to accompany the one they had bought, and gave me pretty much free rein. That is the kind of commission I love! I was able to come up with my own idea, and only had to keep to a certain color scheme. They are happy with the finished product and so am I. I don't really have a great name for it...any ideas?

Bubble Time

Bubble Time 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel $150

Copyright 2011 Tahirih Goffic

Here's the painting I promised you yesterday:) I got a bit busy...I'm still finding it hard to adjust to going "to work" every day, and still having time to do all the other stuff, like cook and clean, post to my blog...

But it will come. I'm slowly learning how to be organized! It's not a normal state of being for me, to have to make lists, plan my day in advance, or be on any kind of schedule...but it's starting to come together. And I'm painting a lot! I haven't been posting very much, because a lot of my projects this summer have been private commissions, but that's okay, too. I might just have to rename my blog, "My Almost Monthly Painting Blog"! I do paint every day, honest! Except for the weekends, which I now dedicated to the kidlets and my exceptionally patient husband. 

Well, I do have a few more finished pieces to show you over the next few days, so stay posted!

In other news, I had my first meal at the "new" Eagle Lodge last night. It was exceptional!! My mouth is still watering, thinking about the Maple Glazed Steak with carmelized onions, and fresh blueberry pavlova...yum yum yum! If you are in the Bella Coola area, you absolutely MUST try their food...and if you need a place to stay, their rooms are beautiful, too. On Friday nights, they also have live music by local musicans, and Caley Watts enchanted us all with her angelic voice, and clever songwriting...she's gorgeous, inside and out, so look her up, she's on iTunes and CDbaby.