(Street lighting outside the National Museum in Kildare Street, Dublin.)
Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death. – Harold Wilson
Kinda scary being who you want to be…. Mairead.
courage
Courage and Fear are close associates!
(Tree with some battle scars)
“Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” – Mark Twain
If you’re scared, turn it into courage by taking that next step. Mairead.
Fly birdie, fly!
(What you looking at?)
“The shell must break before the bird can fly.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
Is there something you need to break? Mairead.
Friday Quote – Expectations… Iive up to your own.
(Most of the Moon)
I am not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. – Frizt Perls
Well that’s a relief, Mairead
Leonard and Leonardo…….
(Botanic Gardens, succulents)
We were looking at a very good documentary about Leonard Cohen on Saturday night. It was called I’m your Man and had other people singing his songs from a concert tour, while he chatted to the interviewer (and to us.). One of the songs I hadn’t heard before was called The Traitor. While Leonard explained the song to us I was reminded of Leonardo da Vinci. (Yes, interestingly similar names….)
(Fly catcher)
Each week in Art History we get an assignment, this week it’s about the High Renaissance, we have to choose one of the artists of the time and write about them. There are (as far as I can tell) only three artists in that time – Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. I was wondering which one to go for when our lecturer told us a small detail about Leonardo….. he didn’t finish everything he started! Not really surprising when you think of all the things he did. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. Not really surprising and yet I was surprised, I thought finishing was really, really important and have felt guilty many times for the things I didn’t finish.
(Are they seeds?)
So getting back to Leonard Cohen who was explaining the song. He was saying that it was about a feeling that you had messed up some important mission, some important thing you were supposed to do. But you come to understand that the bigger mission was not to complete it. The real mission was whatever happened…. the deepest courage was to stand guiltless as “people called me traitor to my face“.
All is well, Mairead.
Friday Quote – There are many types of slavery.
(Flowers from the National Stud in Kildare)
“The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. Freedom and slavery are mental states.” – Mahatma Gandhi
A slave… to fashion, to social standing, to money, to work, to family, to friends. Mairead.
Practice makes perfect…. bit by tiny bit.
(Printing practice)
It’s before dawn on an autumnal wet kind of day here in County Wicklow. I’m up early because there’s a lot to do before I leave for my classes. Today it’s drawing… not my favourite but I want to improve so I continue to practice. Last week on my day off I found myself near the National Art Gallery on Merrion Square. Although I do love to visit, usually I go there only if I have time to kill while waiting for an appointment or a meeting. When I realised how close I was I went there purposefully… to practice my drawing.
(Printing practice… possible wallpaper design?)
Practicing my drawing might seem straightforward, all I need is a pencil, paper and a subject, right? No. Well, yes I do need the pencil and paper, but I carry those with me all the time now and non-moving subjects are readily available. There are other requirements… 1.Making a choice – it is sometimes tempting to wander from potential subject to even better potential subject and the available time is gone before I have even started. 2.Opening the notebook – it is also tempting to wait until the coast is clear and there is none nearby before I open the notebook and take the pencil in my hand…. (“Oh look, someone drawing”). It’s scary but I must be brave.
(Printing practice…. using a net the oranges come in)
3.Making a start – possibly the most important requirement, the potential for disaster is huge. Well… disaster might be too dramatic a word but if I don’t start there’s no drawing. 4.Perseverance, defined as, the steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Very useful because at this point there are many thoughts going through my head…. You don’t have enough time. On consideration, this is not a good subject. You need more practice to attempt this one. There’s someone coming, quick put your notebook away! What about a nice green tea and a scone instead? Time’s up!
(Then we went for lunch)
So much of what I’m learning on this course of drawing, painting, printing and ceramics can be applied to any area of life. 1. Make a choice. 2. Open the notebook – be willing to be different. 3. Make a start. 4. Persevere in spite of difficulties. Last week in the art gallery I found a statue, sat down and practiced drawing and my drawing skills are improving… a bit…. very slowly, so I’m learning patience too.
Go Practice, Mairead.
PS not ready to share the drawing practice…. yet.
Helen Kearney’s welcome home.
(Picture of Helen Kearney in London. Source: Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)
I have more photos and things to say about Canada but first I want to tell you where I was on Saturday afternoon. I went to join hundreds of others in Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow, to welcome Helen Kearney home from the Paralympics. She won three medals – two bronze and one silver – in Equestrian Dressage and she got to meet Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late show!
(Some of the supporters. When she was younger Helen was in the Newcastle Lyons Pony Club)
Helen has a progressive degenerative disorder called Friedreich’s Ataxia and when she was diagnosed at the age of twelve her parents did something amazing – they bought her a horse. I’ve known Helen’s mum, Mary, since I was little – she’s my cousin – so it doesn’t surprise me but it does inspire me.
(Supporters came from Hollywood… Co.Wicklow)
I arrived early on Saturday as the groups of supporters were getting ready. There was great excitement and pride and everyone was smiling. Bunting had been stretched across the street and between the houses and almost every window displayed a picture of Helen. I had forgotten to bring my camera but had my phone – the pictures are a bit fuzzy.
(At the GAA club, speeches and clapping… lots of clapping)
The celebration began with a parade of horses and ponies and vintage cars and local groups, and it seemed like the whole town had turned out. We followed the parade to the GAA club and there were speeches and presentations and even poetry. The community of Dunlavin had organised the event and had baked cakes and buns so after the speeches we retired to the club house to drink tea and eat the cakes.
(One of the cakes, yum)
It was lovely meeting up with my cousins and my aunt Brigid (Helen’s granny) to celebrate a brilliant achievement and an inspiring young woman. Oh and I nearly forgot while she was in London competing Helen also graduated in absentia from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Commerce!
Thank you Helen, for following your dream, Mairead.
Friday Quote – You can do it!
(You see that dot on the picture? That’s a man walking a tightrope between two (very tall) buildings in Niagara….)
“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things.”—Norman Vincent Peale
Our last day on holidays, we’re flying home tomorrow with lots of memories and tons of photos. Thank you Canada – you’ve been great! Mairead.
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